Busting Brackets
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Alabama Basketball: 5 reasons why the Tide can go dancing in 2018-19

By Dakota Cox

TUSCALOOSA, AL - JANUARY 17: Tyler Ulis (3) of the Kentucky Wildcats attempts to steal the ball from Retin Obasohan (32) of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the game at Coleman Coliseum on January 17, 2015 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 70-48. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - JANUARY 17: Tyler Ulis (3) of the Kentucky Wildcats attempts to steal the ball from Retin Obasohan (32) of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the game at Coleman Coliseum on January 17, 2015 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 70-48. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 17: Dazon Ingram
PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 17: Dazon Ingram /

Reason Two: Returning Veterans

Time is a double-edged sword in sports. It always seems as if every day is a battle to keep your job or role. Teams have to win if their coach expects to stay, and players have to perform if they don’t want to fall down the depth chart. Every day, they fight like they’re running out of time. Patience is not a gift they’re allowed to have.

However, if you can survive enough of the daily battles, you are given the gift of time. Alabama’s biggest weakness last season was immaturity. There were no seniors that played quality time. Freshman combined for 78 starts according to Sports Reference. The only senior on the list will actually be returning on a medical redshirt. They only have two players from last season that are no longer on the roster in Sexton and Braxton Key.

That means a lot for next year. This roster will actually have people who know what to expect when times get tough. They know how to prepare for an SEC road game. They know what it takes to make it to the NCAA Tournament.

Having an entire roster full of proven talent is great, but what’s even greater is that you will have three seniors on the team. Donta Hall is a great starter who will clean the boards and score on the pick and roll. Riley Norris is practically a guaranteed three points any time he puts it up behind the arc. Avery Johnson Jr. will be a spark plug off the bench when times get tough for the freshmen PGs.

A great team needs to have one or two players they can turn to. Alabama has a team full of them. That’s a blessing in the one-and-done era.

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