🏀 Should Alabama even have a basketball team?

[TheChief]

The team has never advanced past the Great 8. Years have passed since they truly competed for an SEC title. Wouldn't it be better to devote those mens' scholarships to some other sport that the university cares about?

 

[alabama mike]

If we are competitive, Coelman will have fans in attendance. IMO, there is no reason Bama should not be competing for an NCAA berth on a yearly basis. The sport will never be number 1 in T'town but we should not be at or near the bottom of the SEC. For those of us with a little age, the Plaid Palace was a place you wanted to go in the mid to late 70's through the 80's. So, to answer your question, we need to get serious about basketball.

 

[TheChief]

If the team cannot, will not, or is unwilling or unable to compete for national titles, why compete at all? I think that is the best question. There is not one single fan who thinks Bama will EVER win a national title in basketball. Why compete then?

 

[PhillyGirl]

If the team cannot, will not, or is unwilling or unable to compete for national titles, why compete at all? I think that is the best question. There is not one single fan who thinks Bama will EVER win a national title in basketball. Why compete then?

I mean, my alma mater (American University) can and will never compete, and we are D-1 (Patriot League). We made it to the tourney in 2009 (lost to Villanova in the first round, after we lead them for 90% of the game) and it was a huge deal. This year, we are doing really well and it's crazy how much more attention the school has gotten. We even got an AP vote last week and people were celebrating.

It's stuff like that which makes it all worth it. Did we suck for .. well, ever? Yeah. But it makes the little victories like that worthwhile. Plus, it allows for people to go to the school they really prefer and to also represent them on the court. Like, some people could adore Alabama's academics but also want to rep them on the hardwood with their skills. Alabama Basketball gives them that chance.

Is attendance really bad? Maybe if yall could hook in a big time recruit (or big-ish, haha), or get fans pumped up. Is there a student fan group? We have one called Blue Crew and they lead the school in attending sports events (mind you, I went to the least sports-minded school on earth .. For most students, all they care about is politics or international affairs. Blech). We also have a partnership with Coke so they would provide free drinks/food/t-shirts for sponsorship, and students would come for the food, Blue Crew would pump them up, and then it was a good cycle of free stuff + more people = more fans.

I wonder if a lot of it stems from hangover from the football program. I know at schools like Penn State, there is crazy fandom for all sports, especially women's volleyball, women's basketball, and men's soccer.

 

[bamaraider]

We have hooked in big time recruits, the thing that's bad is development. Attendance is not bad, but its not what it used to be.

Look, when you're at places like Alabama, other sports will always be in the shadow of football. Doesn't mean we should shut down a whole program, especially a big one like basketball, because they don't produce a national title. Hell, baseball has been to the CWS what? 5-6 times? Lost every one. Yet 12 of the last 13 years, we have been top 10 in attendance. Last year we were top 30 in attendance for basketball. Alabama Basketball used to be fun. David Hobbs era was a tough one, but before that with Wimp and even during the Gottfried years, it was fun. We may never compete for a national title, but that shouldn't mean we should shut down a program because it won't bring in the big one. I seriously do believe people in Alabama like basketball. Birmingham always has high ratings for CBB. I hear on talk radio all the time how people are tired of the product. That to me tells me they're interested. Maybe mad, but interested. I don't think anyone really is asking for us to go to the national title either, just get to us to competing in the SEC and March Madness. Of course the flip side to this is if/when we do start having competing, we'll ask for more and want the big one.

 

[TheChief]

Baseball has played in the national title game in baseball. I don't think basketball can compare to baseball as far as success goes. There is a possibility to win a national title in every other program at the University of Alabama.

Philly, I love ya' but have a team to give players a chance to go to Alabama for school? Really? You're better than that. Give those scholarships to scholars then, not to subpar basketball players.

 

[TheChief]

Baseball in fact, I remember losing to Texas and to LSU in the title game. Baseball is in a different galaxy than basketball.

 

[RollTideRandy]

We should hire Ron Hunter before someone else does. You have to keep taking chances on these up and coming coaches until you find one that matures into a big time winner. Unfortunately, we can't attract a Calipari or Patino so we have to take chances on an unknown. I just think we stick with sub par coaches too long and we should be moving on. NEXT!

 

[bamanaf]

He needs to go. Coach Grants body language is horrible.

 

[TheChief]

I think my body language would be filled with expletives at this point. His is filled with self-pity.