Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: Biggest winners of the early 2020 offseason

By Lukas Harkins

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - JANUARY 15: Detail view of a basketball goes through the basketball net during warmups before a game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Vanderbilt Commodores at Bud Walton Arena on January 15, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - JANUARY 15: Detail view of a basketball goes through the basketball net during warmups before a game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Vanderbilt Commodores at Bud Walton Arena on January 15, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 24: Coach Oats while at Buffalo complains (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 24: Coach Oats while at Buffalo complains (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama is losing Kira Lewis this offseason but that was always expected. The Crimson Tide prepared well for that likelihood and have thus put together an offseason worth of being deemed an early “winner”. Head coach Nate Oats added two more newcomers over the past couple of months and both seem poised to be immediate star players for the program.

In the frontcourt, Alabama landed one of the nation’s best graduate transfers in the form of do-it-all big man Jordan Bruner. The 6-foot-9 forward was a key leader on both ends of the floor for a strong Yale team during this past season and was named All-Ivy for his efforts. He started all 28 contests and posted averages of 10.9 points (.443/.323/.766), 9.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game. It’s hard to argue with those numbers.

Furthermore, the Crimson Tide are filling one of their backcourt holes with an elite incoming freshman in Josh Primo. The 6-foot-6 combo guard announced his commitment to play in Tuscaloosa in mid-April and should be tasked with seeing big minutes from the opening tip of the campaign. He is currently ranked at No. 43 in the class, but some outlets regard him as a five-star prospect. Primo is an excellent scorer at all three levels and plays with a high IQ.

Alabama seriously boosted its potential with these two additions as both can take the floor right away next season. Coach Oats now has a rather talented roster to work with. NBA Draft decisions from Herb Jones (likely to return) and John Petty (50/50) still loom, but this has been a solid couple of months for the program.

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