BAMANEWSBOT
Staff
The Alabama men’s basketball team is already scrambling and the season has not even begun.
Injuries will be a problem early with three key players out of preseason practice, and are questionable for the only exhibition game Monday night at home against Montevallo.
Alabama coach Anthony Grant’s goal is have them ready for the Nov. 14 season opener.
“We are not at full strength,” Grant said Tuesday. “We have a few guys banged up, but nothing that we think will be long-term. We have nine scholarship guys healthy being able to practice.”
Returning junior guard Retin Obasohan recovered from offseason ankle surgery, but sprained his other ankle in practice.
Ricky Tarrant suffered a lower leg injury in practice. The junior point guard sat out last season and is expected to be the starter this season.
Sophomore forward Michael Kessens has been slowed by the scarring problems from a sports hernia (groin) surgery last November. He too sat out last season and is expected to be an impact player this season.
“They are in the process of trying to get 100 percent where we can get them back on the court,” Grant said. “What we told our guys, you don’t want guys out missing practice time and being injured, but it gives our younger guys time to gain valuable experience and puts our veterans in position where they understand the leadership they provide for our younger guys.”
Nonconference scheduling
Grant challenged his players with the nonconference schedule. The home highlight for Coleman Coliseum is a visit by UCLA on Dec. 28.
“There use to be a time where you could work into playing your best basketball once you get to conference play,” Grant said. “In today’s basketball, what you do in the nonconference is really important.”
Most of the tough games are on the road, starting with Iowa State on Nov. 24 in Kansas City as part of a tournament. The Crimson Tide could play either Maryland or Arizona State the next day.
Other road games include Xavier on Dec. 6 and Wichita State on Dec. 16.
“The perception of the (conference) is that it’s not as strong as some other (conferences),” Grant said. “Some of that is from how our (conference) has performed in the nonconference. One of the things we tried to do is try and challenge ourselves in the nonconference. The schedule we put together will bring out the best in us.”
Decatur Daily—Continue reading with update on the women...
Injuries will be a problem early with three key players out of preseason practice, and are questionable for the only exhibition game Monday night at home against Montevallo.
Alabama coach Anthony Grant’s goal is have them ready for the Nov. 14 season opener.
“We are not at full strength,” Grant said Tuesday. “We have a few guys banged up, but nothing that we think will be long-term. We have nine scholarship guys healthy being able to practice.”
Returning junior guard Retin Obasohan recovered from offseason ankle surgery, but sprained his other ankle in practice.
Ricky Tarrant suffered a lower leg injury in practice. The junior point guard sat out last season and is expected to be the starter this season.
Sophomore forward Michael Kessens has been slowed by the scarring problems from a sports hernia (groin) surgery last November. He too sat out last season and is expected to be an impact player this season.
“They are in the process of trying to get 100 percent where we can get them back on the court,” Grant said. “What we told our guys, you don’t want guys out missing practice time and being injured, but it gives our younger guys time to gain valuable experience and puts our veterans in position where they understand the leadership they provide for our younger guys.”
Nonconference scheduling
Grant challenged his players with the nonconference schedule. The home highlight for Coleman Coliseum is a visit by UCLA on Dec. 28.
“There use to be a time where you could work into playing your best basketball once you get to conference play,” Grant said. “In today’s basketball, what you do in the nonconference is really important.”
Most of the tough games are on the road, starting with Iowa State on Nov. 24 in Kansas City as part of a tournament. The Crimson Tide could play either Maryland or Arizona State the next day.
Other road games include Xavier on Dec. 6 and Wichita State on Dec. 16.
“The perception of the (conference) is that it’s not as strong as some other (conferences),” Grant said. “Some of that is from how our (conference) has performed in the nonconference. One of the things we tried to do is try and challenge ourselves in the nonconference. The schedule we put together will bring out the best in us.”
Decatur Daily—Continue reading with update on the women...
