šŸ€ Tide ranked in "Way Too Early Top 25's." The Buzz around Johnson's Bama Basketball program

Max

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This is about a third of the article. The first two-thirds are through the link.



ā€œI feel like next year is going to be a challenge in how we do in practice, and we compete against ourselves in practice, to compete with the best of them.ā€

But it’s not like coach Avery Johnson is just adding one star recruit to a team that’s returning most of its key players.

All five additions to the class — with guards Herb Jones and John Petty, and forwards Alex Reese and Galen Smith joining Sexton — were rated highly by recruiting services. On signing day, the group was tabbed No. 2 in the nation by Scout and Rivals, and third by 247Sports.

Those rankings continue to be tweaked as the various rosters continue to see movement, but regardless, Alabama’s class is being hailed as maybe being the best in program history. Moreover, forward/center Daniel Giddens will be active after transferring last year from Ohio State.

ā€œThe biggest thing is that everyone he’s bringing in, we’re pretty much sleepers,ā€ Sexton also told Mussatto. ā€œEveryone slept on us and we have a point to prove next season. We’re going to go out and do our best.ā€

So yes, it’s good time to be an Alabama basketball fan, and Johnson is doing everything he can to build on the momentum. He’s gone from saying ā€œIt’s a No. 1 class in my mind,ā€ and how pleased he was to land the top three in-state players on signing day, to referring to the Crimson Tide as being a potential preseason Top 25 team before leaving the SEC Tournament.

ā€œI don’t know if I can put that into words, but it’s not just one player,ā€ Stewart said. ā€œWhen you think about John Petty and the other guys, they each fit a need.ā€

But did you see Collin Sexton?

Stewart can’t wait to, in crimson and white at Coleman Coliseum.

ā€œI think I’m going to have to probably spend more time working on the vocabulary, just based on the few minutes I saw of the McDonald’s All American Game,ā€ he said.
https://www.seccountry.com/alabama/...-mcdonals-all-american-game?exclude_view=true
 
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I know rolltide.com has an auctions page where they auction off basketball fan experiences and ticket packages, so it might be good to look into one of those for next season with the hype train going on right now. Gonna be fun to think about and watch unfold.
 



18. Alabama


Alabama's Braxton Key (25) brings the ball down court. Could the Crimson Tide take a major leap forward in 2017-18? (Photo: Adam Hagy, USA TODAY Sports)

Despite two seasons without an NCAA tournament berth, Avery Johnson has been as impressive as any coach recruiting, and he has a his top-four class for 2017. The Crimson Tide should hit their stride with five-star recruits Collin Sexton and John Petty joining a team headed by sophomores Braxton Key and Dazon Ingram.

ā–ŗ Recruiting class: A+
 
21. Alabama Crimson Tide
Why they’re here: No, it’s not just because Avery Johnson’s team beat Final Four squad South Carolina twice this season. That doesn’t hurt, but mostly it’s because Alabama’s strong group of returning players is joined by a recruiting class that’s ranked No. 5 by ESPN, led by five-star guards Collin Sexton and John Petty. Big things are happening in Tuscaloosa, folks.

Arizona, Duke top way-too-early NCAA basketball rankings for 2017-18
 



23. ALABAMA
Key losses: G Corban Collins, F Jimmie Taylor, F Bola Olaniyan
Key returners: F Riley Norris, F Braxton Key, G Dazon Ingram, F Donta Hall, G Avery Johnson Jr., G Ar’mond Davis
Notable newcomers: C Daniel Giddens, G Collin Sexton, G John Petty, F Alex Reese

Outlook: There is a lot to like here. Sexton is a consensus top-10 recruit. Giddens, a transfer from Ohio State, is a former top-50 prospect and projects as a big-time shot-blocker. The class of newcomers is the reason Alabama is in this top 25. But don’t sleep on the returning core either. Key and Ingram were solid as freshmen, and should improve. Norris is a capable secondary scoring option. Avery Johnson should get to the tournament in his third season in Tuscaloosa." data-reactid="141">Outlook: There is a lot to like here. Sexton is a consensus top-10 recruit. Giddens, a transfer from Ohio State, is a former top-50 prospect and projects as a big-time shot-blocker. The class of newcomers is the reason Alabama is in this top 25. But don’t sleep on the returning core either. Key and Ingram were solid as freshmen, and should improve. Norris is a capable secondary scoring option. Avery Johnson should get to the tournament in his third season in Tuscaloosa.
 
I'd say it's not mere coincidence that right after our 3 big incoming studs received even MORE accolades today, we see another transfer announcement.

Doesn't look like we left much for the barners to glean this year. But freshmen do freshmen things and I was hoping for a more traditional exchange of power. Davis doesn't fit the profile of cutting off the fat, so I'm hoping for a great plan B on this one.
 
It was about the second weekend of last month when it "broke" the Tide was pulling in another transfer. Also remember, Thursday at noon the dead period ends and the crazy period of basketball's recruiting calendar comes into play.

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