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Trevor Releford drives for a layup against Tennessee.
(Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama — Two more losses didn't hurt Alabama in the most recent Ratings Percentage Index.
Though the Crimson Tide didn't beat Arkansas or Florida, its ranking improved slightly. But at No. 109 (up from 114 last week) Alabama is well outside the postseason discussion for which the RPI is used.
The Tide (9-14) is sandwiched between Vermont and Charlotte in the official RPI released by the NCAA Monday.
That challenging strength of schedule is behind the latest jump. Florida is the highest ranked Alabama opponent at No. 5 as one of three top-10 teams the Tide has faced. Losses also came to No. 6 Wichita State and No. 8 Duke.
The official RPI ratings don't list strength of schedule, but ESPN's projections rank Alabama's No. 2 nationally.
Coming up, Alabama still has a trip scheduled to No. 12 Kentucky. No. 56 Ole Miss comes to Coleman Coliseum at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Click here for the full RPI rating.