🏀 CAJ Era Begins

[psychojoe]

In recent years there has been little interest in men's basketball at this time of the year, mainly because of the football team being in position to compete for a championship, but also because not much was expected of the basketball team. The arrival of Avery Johnson has changed all that. His visibility, smile, and high energy personality has gotten Bama hoops fans excited again.

What to expect:

The media has us pegged as the #13 team in a 14 team league. While I don't expect us to be up there battling Kentucky and Vandy for the conference crown, I do believe that we are a bit better than that.

Player wise, we return six players who saw significant action last year. We also have six newly arrived scholarship players, and a couple of walk ons.

The Returnees:

Justin Coleman: I knew that Justin was small, but I did not realize just how small until I saw him standing beside our coach. Avery is easily three to four inches taller. Coleman is lightning quick, and can really light up the scoreboard when he gets hot.


Justin Coleman Bio - ROLLTIDE.COM - University of Alabama Official Athletic Site

Jimmy Taylor: In my opinion this junior post player is the key to our season. It wasn't widely noticed in the wake of a disappointing season for the team, but Taylor was playing as well as any big man in the league in the second half of the season. He needs to learn to stay out of foul trouble and continue to improve his offense.


Jimmie Taylor Bio - ROLLTIDE.COM - University of Alabama Official Athletic Site

Shannon Hale: The junior sharpshooter has had his ups and downs in his first two years, battling various injuries and an inconsistent shot. He spurned an intense effort by NC State to get him to transfer. If Shannon plays more consistently at his potential, it will be a big difference for this year's team. He does seem to be a better fit for Avery's style of play.


Shannon Hale Bio - ROLLTIDE.COM - University of Alabama Official Athletic Site

Retin Obasahon: Retin is a fifth year senior who was likely the best athlete on the team each year that he has been here. Each year his basketball skills have become a little more refined. If there is a game where we need one player to put the team on his back and go, Retin would be the man I'd look to. He will be at two guard mostly, but can play point, and is strong enough to defend a small forward.


Retin Obasohan Bio - ROLLTIDE.COM - University of Alabama Official Athletic Site

Riley Norris: The sophomore forward became a fan favorite early on because of his effort. He is a strong rebounder for his size, and he needs to contribute big in this area this year.


Riley Norris Bio - ROLLTIDE.COM - University of Alabama Official Athletic Site

Michael Kessens: Michael was billed as a big man with a lot of finesse around the basket, but he only rarely showed these skills because of a nagging knee injury. We need for him to stay healthy and contribute.


Michael Kessens Bio - ROLLTIDE.COM - University of Alabama Official Athletic Site

Newcomers:

Brandon Austin: Austin is a talented wing player from Carver of Montgomery.He has an opportunity for early playing time.


Brandon Austin Bio - ROLLTIDE.COM - University of Alabama Official Athletic Site

Donta Hall: Another freshman with an opportunity to play early. He should provide some much needed inside depth.


Donta Hall Bio - ROLLTIDE.COM - University of Alabama Official Athletic Site

Dazon Ingram: Dazon finally found his way back to the Tie after decommitting during the Anthony Grant drama. At 6'5" he has point guard skills.


Dazon Ingram Bio - ROLLTIDE.COM - University of Alabama Official Athletic Site

Arthur Edwards: Edwards availed himself of the transfer rule for those who have graduated and is immediately eligible. With the lack of experience at the wing positions he should be on the floor a lot for Bama.


Arthur Edwards Bio - ROLLTIDE.COM - University of Alabama Official Athletic Site


Avery Johnson Jr: Not surprisingly, AJ Jr. followed his dad to the capstone. He will have to sit out this season as an undergraduate transfer.


Avery Johnson Jr. Bio - ROLLTIDE.COM - University of Alabama Official Athletic Site


Nick King: Nick was a four star recruit out of high school, and saw the floor a good bit over the last two seasons at Memphis. He will have to sit out this season.


Nick King Bio - ROLLTIDE.COM - University of Alabama Official Athletic Site

Lawson Schaffer: Schaffer turned down scholarship offers from lower level programs to walk on at Alabama.


Lawson Schaffer


Christian Clark: He is one of those unsung heroes, a practice player who will see the floor only during blowouts barring a run of injuries. Hats off to him for doing this.



Christian Clark Bio - ROLLTIDE.COM - University of Alabama Official Athletic Site



A fourteen man roster, with two who can't play until next year.

I project the starting lineup as:

PG: Coleman

SG: Obasohan

SF: Norris

PF: Hale

C: Taylor

Since Coach Johnson has said that we will run more, press more, and in general try to be more disruptive on defense, he will likely use all of his roster, save those who must sit out, so who is on the court at the beginning of a game will not be as indicative as who is on it at the end.

Looking at those who are available, Kessens and Hall would be off the bench types for the PF and C positions, while Edwards and Austin will provide depth at the wings. Dazon Ingram will likely be the primary back up at the point, but he has the size t play the wing as well.


It all gets started this Friday at 7:30 at Coleman. Bring it on.

 

[Teague]

I'm excited for the season. This looks like a "building year", but I'm with you in thinking they'll be better than projected. After watching the exhibition game, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ingram as the starting PG, if not now, then eventually this season.

 

[psychojoe]

I'm excited for the season. This looks like a "building year", but I'm with you in thinking they'll be better than projected. After watching the exhibition game, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ingram as the starting PG, if not now, then eventually this season.

I absolutely agree. I love Justin Coleman's game, followed him in his high school career around the Birmingham area, but he just can't match up with the bigger point guards. The roster says he is 5'10'' but I am not sure he is that tall.

With the style CAJ says we will play there should be minutes for at least the first ten guys on the roster.

 

[Mr. Pink]

Friend of mine coached against Ingram and said he was one of the best, college ready players he has ever seen

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[MacLittle13]

I'm excited for the season. This looks like a "building year", but I'm with you in thinking they'll be better than projected. After watching the exhibition game, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ingram as the starting PG, if not now, then eventually this season.

I didn't see the exhibition game. Is it online anywhere?

 

[Mr. Pink]

I didn't see the exhibition game. Is it online anywhere?

I think it was on SEC Network last friday.... I watched it on TV, but I can't remember the channel.

 

[AFF]

CAJ reminds me of someone - I can't quite put my finger on it though....

 

[alabama mike]

@psychojoe I know you and I are excited about the cage season along with @TheChief . We have to be able to show progress this year, not in the win column but from where we are at the start of the season to where we are at at the end. CAJ will bring in the players and I think we may see a revival of the old "Plaid Palace" days in the next 2-3 years. If things go well, we may be able to pull an upset or two this year.

 

[Killer Instinct]

I expect a frustrating season where we are close in a lot of games early in the year but can't get over the hump. By the end of the season, however, I expect us to be the team nobody wants to face because we'll be just good enough to be dangerous until we get more talent in the lineup.

 

[Bammerboy321]

Fully expect Hale to be the leading scorer this season. Obasahan will be the slasher type role and will attack the basket more. Not to say he won't have a lot of double figures this season, just that I feel CAJ will call more of a pick and pop offense, which will work to Hale's advantage. Additionally, if someone like Arthur Edwards and Norris can establish a threat to consistently bank open shots, the team will be able to make some noise this season. I'm not overly confident of Taylor or Kessens inside yet, but they did look good boxing their men out in the exhibition and not allowing 2nd chance opportunities. That was one of the main issues I had with Grant was that we would always get killed on the backboards and give teams an extra 35 on the shot clock. Just demoralizing when that happens.

Some notes I took away from the exhibition game, though it was just one exhibition game:

Team was very selfless with the ball. Very critical for a team that wants to play a fast-break score quickly kind of offense. ,

Free throw shooting is going to be an issue still.

Team showed discipline. Too often during Grant's tenure did the team shoot themselves in the foot with mental errors and costly turnovers. They'd not only put themselves in bad position by getting down early, but would also be in foul trouble early. I'm hoping this isn't the case this year, especially with the way the game is being called now. We cannot have Taylor in foul trouble early.

Obviously shooting beyond the arc was a surprise. Hale looked solid. It's self explanatory: a team that can be able to shoot consistently from the 3 is a team that can get hot at any time and put up big numbers. If any of you watch the Big 10 and how they play, outside of Bo Ryan's half-court offense at UW, their teams seem to live and die from the 3 and it makes for very exciting games.

Coach Avery Johnson was a lot more hands on and a lot more positive when players made mistakes.

 

[TerryP]

Yesterday, maybe Wednesday, I noticed a few conversations around the 'net about CAJ visiting some of the houses in yet another one of those appearances to build support.
Seeing this is ... well, color me impressed.

 

[psychojoe]

Yesterday, maybe Wednesday, I noticed a few conversations around the 'net about CAJ visiting some of the houses in yet another one of those appearances to build support.
Seeing this is ... well, color me impressed.

Fully expect Hale to be the leading scorer this season. Obasahan will be the slasher type role and will attack the basket more. Not to say he won't have a lot of double figures this season, just that I feel CAJ will call more of a pick and pop offense, which will work to Hale's advantage. Additionally, if someone like Arthur Edwards and Norris can establish a threat to consistently bank open shots, the team will be able to make some noise this season. I'm not overly confident of Taylor or Kessens inside yet, but they did look good boxing their men out in the exhibition and not allowing 2nd chance opportunities. That was one of the main issues I had with Grant was that we would alnnwnnays get killed on the backboards and give teams an extra 35 on the shot clock. Just demoralizing when that happens.

Some notes I took away from the exhibition game, though it was just one exhibition game:

Team was very selfless with the ball. Very critical for a team that wants to play a fast-break score quickly kind of offense. ,

Free throw shooting is going to be an issue still.

Team showed discipline. Too often during Grant's tenure did the team shoot themselves in the foot with mental errors and costly turnovers. They'd not only put themselves in bad position by getting down earlcy, but would also be in foul trouble early. I'm hoping this isn't the case this year, especially with the way the game is being called now. We cannot have Taylor in foul trouble early.

Obviously shooting beyond the arc was a surprise. Hale looked solid. It's self explanatory: a team that can be able to shoot consistently from the 3 is a team that can get hot at any time and put up big numbers. If any of you watch the Big 10 and how they play, outside of Bo Ryan's half-court offense at UW, their teams seem to live and die from the 3 and it makes for very exciting games.

Coach Avery Johnson was a lot more hands on and a lot more positive when players made mistakes.

Awesome. Typically our opener against an opponent who is not highly regarded would have Coleman maybe half full. Like you, TP, I am very impressed.

Bammerboy321, you have hit on one of the keys to the season. Taylor has to be able to stay on the floor.

 

[Bammerboy321]

Yesterday, maybe Wednesday, I noticed a few conversations around the 'net about CAJ visiting some of the houses in yet another one of those appearances to build support.
Seeing this is ... well, color me impressed.

That's great news. Kind of expected though with all the energy he's brought. Fortunately I'll be in the student section.

 

[Barnabus Stinson]

I'll be at the game tonight. Hopefully we look good and some of the excitement carries over. Knowing our basketball fans if we struggle against Kennesaw State, most won't show up for the second game.

 

[bamabigdawg]

just listening on the radio it sounds like a much better and more exciting product we are putting out there..Anyone there how does Dazon Ingram look in person?

 

[psychojoe]

I like that we are taking the first good shot. Not a great night from the three point line, but obviously CAJ wants them to keep on taking that shot if they are open. Ingram seemed to do a better job than Coleman in defending their top scorer. I am not surprised to see that we had both PG on the floor at the same time for significant minutes. We will be searching for the best wing player combo for a while. it would not surprise me if Hall displaces Kessens as the first big man off the bench.

 

[Bamabww]

After watching the game last night, the first thing that come to my mind is that Dazon Ingram is the real deal.

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

just listening on the radio it sounds like a much better and more exciting product we are putting out there..Anyone there how does Dazon Ingram look in person?

His stat line:

16 pts, 6 boards, 4 assists, 2 steals, and only 1 TO. Nice 1st outing. Several nice no-look passes, from what I could tell by listening to the game while working.

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