SEC Basketball: In-depth conference preview

By Stuart Gill | Nov 3, 2016

Mar 13, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari shouts during the second half of the championship game against Texas A&M Aggies of the SEC tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky Wildcats won 82-77. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Avery Johnson in the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats during the SEC tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Alabama Crimson Tide

2015-16 record: 18-15 overall, 8-10 in SEC

Head coach: Avery Johnson

Notable departures: Retin Obasohan, Arthur Edwards, Justin Coleman, Michael Kessens

Notable returnees: Shannon Hale, Dazon Ingram, Riley Norris, Jimmie Taylor, Donta Hall

Notable newcomers: Four-star SF Braxton Key, JUCO SF Ar’mond Davis, Memphis transfer Nick King, Morehead State GS G Corban Collins, Southern Illinois GS F Bola Olaniyan

Avery Johnson’s Crimson Tide will return the majority of their role players from a year ago and two of their top five scorers.

The most notable of departure is Retin Obasohan, who averaged 17.6 points in 32.3 minutes per game last year.

The great news is that the Tide will once again have guard Dazon Ingram, who sat out the majority of last year with a medical redshirt. Ingram returns as a freshman after leading the team in assists and rebounds through their first seven contests of 2015, all of which he started. His return will give Alabama confidence on offense.

Johnson also adds Corbin Collins, Ar’mond Davis, Nick King andBola Olaniyan to add experience. But perhaps the most talked about player on campus is freshman Braxton Key of Charlotte, NC. Key, a four-star recruit, will add much-needed talent to the Crimson Tide’s front court.

At 6’8″ 220 pounds, Key can play with the best at his position in the SEC, and should improve Alabama’s versatility. Alabama is still in rebuilding mode, but they will be even more competitive in 2016-17. Expect them to pull of some upsets along the way.

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