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Alabama Crimson Tide One-Up Auburn, Get Commitment from Terrence Ferguson

By Chris Godfrey

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Normally, this type of Roll Tide/War Eagle tit for tat on the recruiting trail happens between head football coaches Nick Saban and Gus Malzahn. However, a pair of new coaches, Avery Johnson and Bruce Pearl have brought that same intensity to the hardwood.

Just one day after Auburn shocked everyone by locking down five-star guard Mustapha Heron, the Alabama Crimson Tide have struck back with the announcement that Terrance Ferguson has committed to Alabama.

"I am proud to announce that I will be furthering my education and basketball career at The University of Alabama"

Ferguson is hailed as one of the top prospects in the Class of 2016. The six-foot-six  off guard has been highly coveted by many of the nation’s top programs while playing at Deion Sanders’ Prime Prep Academy in Dallas, but he has made the decision to be the new face of Alabama basketball much to the delight of their new head coach.

Fortunately, he’ll be more than just the face of the program. He’ll likely be the team’s number one option from day one. Ferguson is insanely athletic, and will be able to carve lanes to the hole due to the fact that defenders are forced to respect his long range shooting. At the moment, he’s a very lanky player, but the development of his body could eventually lead to him being able to play both positions on the wing.

Ferguson’s commitment isn’t as random as Heron’s pledge to Auburn. The Tulsa, Oklahoma native plays his summer ball for a team operated by NBA veteran and Alabama alum Mo Williams. The connection probably brought the Crimson Tide into the mix, with Johnson only having to seal the deal.

Johnson’s hire at Alabama hasn’t caused the same amount of excitement as some other coaching changes, but most of that can be attributed to the Crimson Tide fanbase’s general apathy towards basketball. The reality of the situation is that Johnson was a highly successful NBA coach who is now taking over a basketball program that is loaded with untapped resources and potential.

The likelihood of Johnson succeeding at Bama far outweighs the chance that someone like Chris Mullin (St. John’s) or Eric Musselman (Nevada) will pull off the NBA to NCAA transition better. It shouldn’t be a surprise that while Mullin and Musselman are still establishing an equilibrium at their schools, Johnson is signing his first five-star recruit.

Ferguson will add immediate credibility to a team that will struggle to establish an identity this season while they wait for him to arrive on campus. Johnson inherits a cupboard that may not be bare, but is definitely in need of quality additions. That process started with Johnson cobbling together a solid 2015 class, and looks to be kicking into high gear in 2016 with the addition of Ferguson.

Immediate results on the recruiting trail will continue to be vital for the Tide. Bruce Pearl has been adding prospects like a mad man at Auburn, and he has a year long head start on Johnson in terms of establishing his footing in the area’s most fertile recruiting grounds. However, Ferguson’s decision to attend Alabama means that there is a legitimate sleeping giant of a hardwood rivalry that is on the verge of awakening in the SEC.

Next: Could This Be Gregg Marshall's Final Year At Wichita State

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