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Alabama Basketball: 2017-18 Crimson Tide season preview

By Brad Cavallaro

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 10: Avery Johnson the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide gives instructions to his team in the game against the Ole Miss Rebels during the second round of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 10, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 10: Avery Johnson the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide gives instructions to his team in the game against the Ole Miss Rebels during the second round of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 10, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 10: Avery Johnson the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide gives instructions to his team in the game against the Ole Miss Rebels during the second round of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 10, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 10: Avery Johnson the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide gives instructions to his team in the game against the Ole Miss Rebels during the second round of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 10, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Starters No. 1, 2, and 3

The main reason that Alabama fans are so optimistic about this upcoming season is the addition of Collin Sexton. Sexton is an elite scoring guard who will provide a major offensive spark. The talented freshman will be given the reigns immediately and could score 16-17ppg. Sexton will benefit from playing alongside another PG in Dazon Ingram since they can share the distributing and shot creating responsibilities.

Ingram will join Sexton in the backcourt but will shift from the primary creator to more of an off ball role. As the starting PG as a freshman last season, Ingram averaged 10.6ppg, 4.5rpg, and 3.3apg. Ingram’s best attribute is his excellent size (6’5) for the position which allows him to see over smaller defenders and overpower them inside. He should excel as the starting SG and provides a nice complement to Sexton with his quality three-point shooting (43%).

While Sexton understandably receives the most national recognition, it would be foolish to dismiss Braxton Key as a major contributor. Key is a 6’8 combo forward who possesses point forward skills. The talented forward flirted with the NBA draft after a tremendous freshman season but opted to return to Tuscaloosa after receiving feedback. Key averaged a team leading 12.5 points and could replicate these numbers for a much-improved Alabama offense.

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