It’s no secret that The University of Alabama makes a name for itself on the gridiron. Football has always been king in Tuscaloosa. With arguably the most historically successful football program of all time, other athletic teams at the school get overlooked. Alabama’s golf teams have won 3 national championships since 2012, the Crimson Tide softball team won the Women’s College World Series in 2012, and the gymnastics squad owns a stellar 6 national titles. Through all of that, there’s a new craze in Title Town that most people don’t know about…. basketball.

The Little General
Avery Johnson became the head coach for the Alabama men’s basketball team in April of 2015. Johnson is known for his great career around the NBA. During his time in the league, he was a member of the 98-99 Spurs championship team, coached the Dallas Mavericks to an NBA Finals appearance, and won NBA Coach of the Year in 2006. Since Coach Johnson was hired at Alabama, he has been pedal to the metal. He has already solidified his spot on the recruiting trail. The Tide brought in the #8 class in the country in 2017, the highest in program history, and brought in 2 4-star recruits as well in 2016. In his first year, Avery Johnson had wins over several nationally recognized teams like Wichita State, Notre Dame, and Clemson. The next season, Alabama took down the South Carolina Gamecocks, who would eventually go to the Final 4. Despite a 37-30 record, the Tide faithful are feeling very confident moving forward with Avery Johnson.

Here Comes the Tide

Alabama is coming in to this season with one of the most highly touted recruiting classes in the country. Collin Sexton, a PG from Mableton, Georgia, ranked #7 in the ESPN100 and is praised as one of the top newcomers in the country. He is ranked #14 in the latest ESPN rankings of the top 50 players in college basketball. Sexton will come in and be an immediate impact player for the Crimson Tide, and will make his case for a 1st-round pick when the NBA draft rolls around next year. Along with Sexton, John Petty was the #22 player in the ESPN100 and the #4 SG in the class of 2017. Petty was the most highly recruited player in the state of Alabama, and was invited to be in the Jordan Brand Classic. Both freshman will come in and be put in critical roles for the Tide. Coach Johnson is returning Braxton Key, a member of the SEC All-Freshman team, to the starting lineup. Key, a Nashville, TN native who moved on to play at the prestigious Oak Hill Academy, led the team in scoring and minutes last season. Despite only having two seniors, experience should not be a problem with the Crimson Tide. Riley Norris and Ar’Mond Davis are the Tide’s only two seniors, and have played critical roles for Alabama in their time here. Norris and Davis have been known to become lethal from beyond the arc. Down low are two big men standing 6’9 and 6’11. Daniel Giddens, who also played at Oak Hill Academy, is a transfer from Ohio State who will see his first playing time since transferring. Donta Hall stands at 6’9, but plays even bigger than that. He led the team in blocks and dunks last season. Dazon Ingram is one of the Tide’s biggest offensive weapons. After an injury cut his freshman season short, he started all 34 games last season and averaged 10.6 points per game, 3.3 assists per game, and was second in minutes played. Dazon is the floor general for the Tide and will be a facilitator for the offense this season. Avery Johnson Jr. will play the floor general role. With his great vision and passing ability, he will be a  key to Alabama’s success. Other names to look out for are: Lawson Schaffer, the sharp shooter from Cullman, AL, freshmen Herb Jones, Alex Reese, and Galin Smith. Forward Landon Fuller could see some action this season as well. Tevin Mack rounds out the roster. Mack is a transfer from Texas who will sit out this season.

It is an exciting time in Tuscaloosa. Alabama comes to the 2017-2018 season ranked #25 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Despite the football program fighting for another national championship, the campus is also getting excited for #BAMAHOOPS. With one of the nation’s top recruiting classes and many returning key players, Avery Johnson and the Alabama Crimson Tide could make a little bit of noise on the college basketball scene this season. #BuckleUp