Alabama Basketball: Breaking down the 2018 non-conference matchups for the Tide

Alabama Basketball has released the team’s non-conference schedule for the 2018-19 season. What are the most notable games for the Crimson Tide?

Alabama Basketball fans have been waiting for months to see who all the Crimson Tide would be playing in the upcoming season. After getting a few games leaked here and there from other teams, they finally announced their entire non-conference schedule on Twitter this Thursday.

Alabama has high expectations this season after returning most of the cast that took the Tide to its first National Tournament bid in Coach Johnson’s tenure. It’s two largest departures are now Cavaliers, as Collin Sexton was drafted by Cleveland as a lottery pick in the NBA Draft and Braxton Key decided to transfer to Virginia.

Alabama will count on the strength of Herbert Jones, Donta Hall, and John Petty to carry their team through this schedule. All three of these players have the potential to have a professional career after Alabama. They will also have a senior presence as Riley Norris returns from injury.

Sexton’s void will be felt this season, but ‘Bama has an opportunity to go dancing this year without him. This schedule gives them many opportunities to prove themselves. Alabama mostly made it to March Madness last year by its non-conference schedule. Upsetting Oklahoma put the Tide on the map, and there are many games that could do that this season.

Alabama’s range of success this season is one of the widest in the SEC. Their ceiling is very promising, but their floor remains low until they can prove that they are more than Collin Sexton. A lot of where they land on that ceiling/floor spectrum will be determined by a few specific games out of the conference. With that being said, here’s a look at who all they will be playing.