Alabama Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Crimson Tide

By Dakota Cox | Sep 7, 2018

ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 08: Avery Johnson the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide gives instructions to his team against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second round of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 8, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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TUSCALOOSA, AL – JANUARY 27: Braxton Key /

Non-conference scheduling

Key games:

Murray State, Nov. 26th

@ UCF, Nov. 29th

Arizona, Dec. 9th

Penn State, Dec. 21st

@ Baylor, Jan. 26th

Alabama’s scheduling is very strong this year, and that’s going to help them in the long run. Last year, games against teams like Oklahoma helped carry their schedule through other games they should have won. These games (along with their strong conference schedule) will give them a plethora of opportunities to prove their worth.

Related Story. Analyzing Alabama's non-conference schedule. light

If Alabama wins the games they’re supposed to win outside of their conference, they will start off on a strong foot. They might not win all their games, but they should win most. Games against teams like Penn State, Baylor, UCF, and SF Austin might prove to be tough tests for Alabama, but they should be able to hopefully split those four decisions. Arizona seems to be a possible loss, but a win in that game would definitely prove that they’re worthy of respect in the rankings.

Conference scheduling gives Alabama the gift of a couple mulligans early in the season, but these should not be used. Alabama couldn’t prove last year that they were a top team in the SEC against some teams, and they might not be able to do it this year, either.

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