SEC Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2018-19

By Brian Rauf | Jun 26, 2018

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 22: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats speaks to PJ Washington #25 in the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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TUSCALOOSA, AL – JANUARY 27: Herbert Jones #10 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during their game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Coleman Coliseum on January 27, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /

8. Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama largely underachieved last season until March when Collin Sexton took over and provided some memorable moments while helping the program earn their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2012 and first tournament win since 2006.

While Sexton is gone to the NBA and forward Braxton Key transferred to Virginia, the Tide still return plenty of talent.

John Petty, a former five-star recruit in his own right, will be tasked with being more of the focal point of the offense as well as a more consistent scorer (10.2 ppg). They will also get a boost from Herb Jones, who showcased an incredible amount of potential during his freshman season and could be one of the best defensive players in the country.

Texas transfer Tevin Mack, who averaged 14.8 ppg for the Longhorns before being dismissed from the program, will take over for Sexton in the backcourt and should provide a good deal of production there.

Big man Donta Hall and versatile forward Dazon Ingram will be tasked with providing leadership for this group, but outside of those five players, Alabama is full of question marks.

It certainly wouldn’t be a surprise to see this talented roster return to the NCAA Tournament, but those question marks concern me in a conference as deep as the SEC. Can head coach Avery Johnson get this group to play at a level greater than the sum of their parts?

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