The Extra Point: What's Next for Alabama Women's Basketball?

Alabama Women's Basketball lost their first round NCAA tournament game to Baylor in heartbreaking fashion 78-74 after leading by 18 at the end of the first quarter.

This was the last of five straight losses to end the season for Alabama, in a year that showed so much potential entering the final few games. 

The team could have had a four seed in the SEC tournament, receiving a double-bye in the process but faltered down the stretch and fell to a six seed, having to play Kentucky in the second round, a team that won just two conference games up to that point. 

Alabama lost 71-58 and instead of being an eight seed like they were projected to be for most of the year, the Crimson Tide had to settle for a 10 seed and play Baylor in the first round on the NCAA Tournament.

A 22-4 start put Alabama in good position to win the game, but the Bears got hot and Alabama's offense faltered. Baylor won the game and advanced, leaving Alabama to consider a lot of What-ifs.

The future of the Alabama program is in question, despite having a top 20 class according to ESPN. The class is highlighted by Essence Cody, the number 22 overall recruit in the class, and Reychel Douglas, the number 50 ranked player in the class.

This means that Head Coach Kristy Curry will likely get one more year to take that next step in Tuscaloosa, which means a tournament win. People often forget the program before Curry had just one postseason appearance since 2003, while Curry has taken Alabama to now six tournaments (NIT and NCAA) in her ten years.

While it might be a disappointing end to a once promising season, the future still remains bright in Tuscaloosa.