Behind strong performances from guards Retin Obasohan (35 points) and Justin Coleman (21), the Alabama men's basketball team added another quality win to its resume with a 76-69 victory on the road at LSU on Wednesday night. And the win inflated the Crimson Tide's NCAA Tournament chances with only five regular-season games remaining.

Before the game, Alabama's Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), according to ESPN, sat at No. 34 nationally. On Thursday morning, UA (16-9, 7-6 SEC) jumped to No. 29. According to CBS Sports and Yahoo! Sports, Alabama's RPI is 32.

RPI is one of the tools the NCAA Selection Committee uses to evaluate teams for the NCAA Tournament.

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Another tool that is easier to decipher is Bracketology, and according to CBSSports.com's Jerry Palm, Alabama is now an eight seed after its win over the Tigers and SEC-high four wins over top-25 ranked opponents this season. Palm has the Crimson Tide facing No. 9 seed Pittsburgh in the first round, joining other eight seeds Texas Tech, Providence and Syracuse.

All four of the ranked teams Alabama defeated this season (Texas A&M, Wichita State, Notre Dame and South Carolina) are positioned somewhere on Palm's bracket and are considered tournament teams. And one of the Crimson Tide's upcoming opponents in Kentucky is one of the five SEC teams currently in the field of 68, according to Palm.

ESPN's Joe Lunardi has Alabama as one of the "Last Four In" in his last bracket, along with Texas Tech, Cincinnati and Butler. Lunardi has six SEC teams making the tournament, including LSU as one of the "Last Four Byes."

The Crimson Tide and first-year head coach Avery Johnson lead the SEC in wins over ranked foes and accomplished that feat for the first time since the 2001-02 season. UA also won five straight games and six of its last seven contests.

Alabama will next host Mississippi State on Saturday, Feb. 20, at 1:30 p.m. CT before traveling to Kentucky on Feb. 23.

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Contact Charlie Potter by 247Sports' personal messaging system or on Twitter at @Charlie_Potter.