Alabama Basketball: Tide takes on dangerous Stephen F. Austin in 2018

The schedule for Alabama Basketball is beginning to fill out, adding another key non-conference opponent in the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks.

Teams are starting to release their full schedules, but Alabama fans are getting their news through other teams. Another key addition to the Tide’s schedule was released as Stephen F. Austin announced that they will be hosting ‘Bama in December. Coach Avery Johnson will return the favor next season when the Lumberjacks come to Coleman.

Both teams are coming off of a March Madness Tournament bid last year. Alabama made it to the second round as a 9 seed, and SF Austin lost in the first round to Texas Tech as a 14 seed. The Lumberjacks are one of the greatest home teams in the country, losing only two games in their arena last year. Alabama was known last year for under-performing on the road, but that should improve after the team played got more experience in the postseason.

What this means for Alabama

If Alabama wants to make it to the Tournament again this season, they will most likely have to gain an at-large bid. Having a strong non-conference schedule is a great step for them to gain respect from the committee. If Alabama can compete against tournament-eligible teams, they help their odds of dancing immensely. Alabama doesn’t have to specifically win this game, but they definitely need to compete.

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This game puts SF Austin on the list of non-conference opponents that already includes Baylor, Arizona, UCF, and Northeastern, with only the Arizona game being at home. If Alabama can compete against these teams like they did against Oklahoma and Minnesota last year, they can definitely be in a great spot to earn a bid in March.

What this means for SF Austin

The Lumberjacks usually earn a bid by winning their conference. This means that their regular season is all about preparing to compete in the postseason as opposed to proving something to a committee. The Alabama game will test SFA in December. It should give them a chance to fight in a more competitive game than their conference might allow.

The length of Herbert Jones, John Petty, and Donta Hall will prepare them for anything the Southland Conference has to offer. It is always easier to learn from adversity than it is to learn from cakewalks. A Power 5 opponent in the Tide will most certainly give the ‘Jacks their fair share of problems.

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Assuming both teams are as competitive as we expect them to come December, this should be a game that will make both fan bases excited as it approaches. Expect William R. Johnson Coliseum to be packed in purple and for the Crimson Chaos to be supporting either in the arena or by their TVs in Tuscaloosa.

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