The Alabama Crimson Tide reached new heights last season under head coach Nate Oats, making its first-ever Final Four appearance in program history with an epic March run that saw them go where they have never been.

Things did not end perfectly with a rather decisive loss against the Connecticut Huskies, who would go on to win their second straight title after absolutely mowing their way through the field.

Though Alabama ran into an absolute machine last year, this year they are trying to get back and have it go differently. But even getting there is an absolutely brutal gauntlet and so difficult to do even once let alone two years in a row.

The Tide is the No. 2 seed in the East region – the upper right quadrant of the bracket. There are numerous teams who could give them trouble along the way, but they should on paper be just fine in the first round matchup on Friday against Robert Morris.

Should Alabama take care of business, things could get tricky right away against the winner of St. Mary’s (CA) and Vanderbilt with a potential all-SEC second round game.

If the Tide is fortunate enough to get back to the second weekend and the Sweet Sixteen, that’s where things get tough. The greatest threat – and perhaps the favorite to win the national title – is the region’s No. 1 seeded Duke Blue Devils. Alabama would not possibly have to face Duke unless they made the Elite Eight however.

In the Sweet Sixteen, the Wisconsin Badgers are the favorite for who the opponent would be as the No. 3 seed. Look out for the red hot No. 6 seeded BYU Cougars however as well if they can get by the No. 11 seed VCU Rams.

Should Duke be upset before a potential matchup with Alabama, it would likely come from either the No. 4 seed Arizona Wildcats or the No. 5 seed Oregon Ducks barring a Cinderella story where someone nobody sees coming winds up making it all the way to Newark for the second weekend.

In March Madness however, you simply cannot afford to get caught looking ahead. Year after year we see upsets nobody saw coming and talented teams take earlier exits than anyone expected. If the Tide wants to avoid that fate, they must focus on the opponent at hand, which is Robert Morris this Friday afternoon.

Though Alabama appears well equipped for another run, there are plenty of landmines they will have to dodge, and it all starts this Friday.