TIDE MAY HAVE THE BEST BACK COURT IN SEC THIS SEASON

  Petty and Sexton put Tide in Rarefied Air...

    Is this really possible? John Calipari said that when you sign two legitimate five-star players at the one and two, you have a chance to win your league. He should know. The talent merry go round known as Kentucky basketball recruiting  shows that you can win with freshmen and you can think big while you do it. I remember listening to Dick Vitale holding Court at an NCAA Final Four. Vitale said, "If you have a great point guard,  a super shooter, an aircraft carrier in the paint, and two other solid players you can beat anyone." Alabama can serve that menu up. They have two good big men in Hall and Giddens. Braxton Key, Riley Norris, and Dazon Ingram are more than solid in my opinion. Then you have Petty and Sexton. Write this down - all that talent is going to be fatal to a lot of teams. 

HOW GOOD ARE THE NEW PLAYERS?

 

       They are good. They are very good. The Tide has six new players ready to play this season. Petty and Sexton get the bulk of attention, but you shouldn't ignore the others. 

• Daniel Giddens is is the 6-10 transfer from Ohio State. He was a four star high school star. Word is that he know weighs almost 250 pounds. It's muscle and not body fat. Giddens was thrown in a sinking Ohio State program before he transferred. He is a much better offensive player that Hall, but is more than solid on the glass. Alabama now has two battle worthy big men inside. This will allow each to be more aggressive on defense. Jimmy Taylor gave the Tide some inside scoring last season but look for more from the post this season. Pre-Season Grade: B
• Alex Reese is a 6-9 small forward.  He is a good ball handler but needs some additional strength.  A Top 100 high School prospect and is versatile. Johnson is going to find a position for him to play. He probably could use a red shirt year to get stronger. He has outstanding court sense is a good all around player. Reese will not start this season, but is a perfect player to come off the bench due to his versatility. Pre-Season Grade: B
• Herb Jones is from Greensboro, Alabama is one of those players who could turn into a star. He is 6-7 and weighs 205 lbs. Jones was a three time All State player and was the AAAA Player of the Years. He had a stellar AAU year which excelled him to #71 high school prospect in the nation. I think he has a high ceiling and is perhaps the most solid player in fundamentals I have seen in a decade. He will hopefully be red shirted, but he is too goo not play. Johnson as some tough decisions to make with Herb. Pre-Season Grade: B
• Galin Smith is a 6-9 225 pound center from Mississippi powerhouse Clinton High School in Clinton, Ms. He was the number two prospect in Mississippi accoriding to the Jackson Clarion-Ledger.  Most people project him to be red shirted this season because Giddens and Hall are available. He could use a season to gain some power. A raw prospect with a big upside according to those in the know. 

Tide has some questions, but also some answers as well...

Alabama goes into the new season with more talent and a lot of expectations. Tide fans have reason to be full of hope and a realistic belief that an NCAA bid is at hand. It is always wise to temper expectations with patience, but it appears that all the pieces are there to have a big season. Can Tide coaches find exactly where those pieces fit? If they can there is good reason to think this will be a much better season than years one and two of the Johnson era. Year three of Avery Johnson’s “buckle-up” is upon us and the excitement level is growing. Ticket sales are soaring. 

WHO PLAYS THE POINT?

The most obvious question is who will play the point guard. Dazon Ingram finished last season with strong performances. He was a good as anyone in the SEC at the point by last season’s end. How does Johnson reconcile the need to keep his best backcourt play, and team leader, in the lineup with Colin Sexton on board? Johnson will need to find a way to keep both of these players in the lineup. Ingram’s outside shooting improved to a point that it isn’t inconceivable that Ingram slides over the two. What does ‘Bama do with John Petty if that occurs? Petty can play the small forward, but his outside shooting is what separates him from most other players his size.

TALENT ABOUNDS AT ALL POSITIONS…

In my mind, I think there is a lot of strength in a line up that starts Ingram, Sexton, Petty, Hall/Giddens, and Braxton Key. The would move Riley Norris to the number six man coming off the bench. That might be a perfect fit for Norris who could play that John Havelecek role perfectly. You can’t overlook the play of Norris, who might have been the Tide’s most valuable player last season. One thing that Norris brings to the game is an great understanding of the game of basketball. He is a good shooter, a better than average rebounder, and seems to have a nose for big plays. He is a fourth year senior. He brings big time leadership to the floor.

HOW DOES DAVIS FIT IN THE SCHEME…

Armond Davis is back

What does Johnson do with Armond Davis? Davis was not exactly what Tide fans had hoped to see last year. He got better. He started to take the ball to the paint with surprising success. His outside shooting was streaky. In all honesty, every outside shooter is streaky. But Davis didn’t quit. He could have transferred but he came back. That tells me that Johnson already has some defined role in mind for Davis. When the Tide needs an extra three point shooter on the floor Davis would be better than average. One thing I like about Davis is he wants the ball in his hands for the big shot. You always need someone who wants the ball in his hands when the game is on the line.

BRAXTON KEY IS INDEED KEY…

Key comes back for another season...

When Braxton Key announced his intent to enter the NBA draft most people scratched their heads. Key to the NBA? What is he thinking? Last season, Key became the go to guy for the Tide, and frankly, he wasn’t ready for the job. No doubt, he can become that guy with a season under his belt. More than anything Braxton Key shows the Tide has a bounty of talent. Alabama will have Key in the lineup and he will play a major role in the Tide’s plans this year. He was an All-Freshman selection in the SEC last year, and I’d think he might find himself on some All-SEC teams this season.

What I like about Key is he is a kind of throw back player. He is not always flashy. He just gets the job done. He is a better than expected perimeter shooter, and is competitive in the paint. He makes good passes, and he plays hard on defense. He had the most memorable shot last season. With time running out on the shot clock, Key jumped on the floor to gather up a loose ball. He then shot from his knees and made the basket. When Key and Riley are in the game the Tide seems to settle down and play better on offense. That’s a something that players who have great fundamentals brings to the game.

OPEN UP THE FLOOR…

     Alabama needs to open up the floor to score more. Whether that means running the break, (which will be a mainstay in the Tide offense this season) or finding some room in the in the half court offense. Expect that to happen with a player like Sexton. I wonder if he knows where he is headed sometimes. Add that mix Dazon Ingram who can simply overpower smaller guards and Bama should score often, very often. My expectations is the Tide will average 75 points plus per game.

DOUBLE DUTY AT THE POINT?

    Sexton and Ingram can both penetrate and dish out to the perimeter. When you have guards that can shoot it outside you are going to open a lot of doors to score. Keep in mind that when that penetration occurs the defense will collapse. When the pitch out occurs, defenders will turn their backs to the basket and try to get outside. Look for Hall and Giddens to get a lot of offensive rebounds. Avery Johnson has some formible players. There are some big-time opponents on the Tide schedule, and don't think for one moment that Alabama isn't a big time opponent for everyone they face. This could be a defining season for Johnson and his team. They have superstar freshmen. They have experience veterens. The coaching staff is steller. The table is set for an NCAA Tournament bid, and perhaps more. 

    The Tide as a favorable schedule in the SEC. I think it is possible, although not likely, the Tide could win each of their home SEC games. Look for this team to win some big ones on the road. If this teams wins 25 games I wouldn't be surprised. It all depends on chemistry. If Johnson and coaches can punch the right buttons to find some cohesiveness on offense the sky may be the limit. Alabama has proven they not only play defensve, they seem to enjoy it. My general rule is to take things in stride and not get ahead of yourself. This team is the exception that proves the general rule. I'm ready. Roll Tide Roll