Florida's chance to prove Todd Golden right vs. Alabama may improve after injury update

After winning six of the past seven, the Gators don't need much help these days, but they will be taking on a Alabama team that's a little banged up Sunday afternoon.

The big issue for Alabama will be the will be the availability of star freshman Amari Allen, who will be a game-time decision. The 6-foot-8 Allen is second on the Tide, is averaging 11.7 points per game and leads the team with 7.8 rebounds. Not having your best rebounder on the floor is a problem against the Gators, who are among the best in the country in rebounds. 

Allen hasn't played in the past two games and if he's not practicing all week it doesn't appear likely he'll play Sunday. It should give the Gators another opportunity to put together a dominant effort on the boards in hopes of getting another win against a top-25 team.

Nate Oats is already making excuses

The game is still over 24 hours away, but Oats is already working on his post-game press conference after his team fell victim to Florida's excellence on the offensive glass. The same guy that's trying to field a roster of guys with NBA experience, is trying to work the officials.

"They're the best rebounding team in the country. When you go to KenPom they're second in offensive rebounds, second in defensive rebounding. Nobody else is that high on both sides of the ball," Oats said. "They're good. Paint scoring and rebounding are two of the biggest issues with this team. I love when they go get a bunch of offensive rebounds and when you can sit in the lane for 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 seconds at a time, it helps your offensive rebounding quite a bit."

OK, Nate...let the excuses begin, just don't get run off the floor tomorrow because no one will want to hear them.