NCAA Basketball: Top 25 team backcourts for 2021-22 season

The Crimson Tide took a huge leap forward in head coach Nate Oats’ 2nd season leading the program. A 10-win improvement and capturing both the regular-season and conference tournament titles accomplished a feat not seen at the program in nearly 35 years. Oats quick turnaround has been buoyed by excellent guard play and his stable has been among the deepest groups in the country regardless of the results they’ve returned.

However, things have indeed come together for Alabama with this group and the return of Jade Shackelford at the top of the roster gives the Tide a lot of confidence heading into 2021. His presence is vital to the team’s success, as four of the team’s seven losses came when Shackelford did not eclipse the 10-point mark. Despite the departures of John Petty and Joshua Primo from the backcourt behind him, this year’s group is still rather deep.

Jahvon Quinerly’s southern migration paid off in a big way last season as he was able to establish himself in an Alabama uniform. Quinerly was a consistent scoring threat in all facets of the game a year ago, largely off the bench, but will be counted on in 2021 as a starter. That bodes well for his production as well, considering he was the most potent scoring threat on the team on a per 40-minute basis. However, due to the shakeup at the top of the roster becoming an even bigger facilitator is something he may have to showcase as well.

Reserve guard Keon Ellis similarly came off the bench in 2020 but will receive a much bigger role entering this season due to the shakeup at the top of the roster. Ellis has consistently shot the ball well at both the junior college level and in his one season at Alabama. In doing so, he will be a reliable asset for Coach Oats to utilize off the bench again this season to ensure scoring droughts are avoided when starters get a breather.

Where this roster was looking to upgrade itself and reload, much like the Tide’s football team, was via recruiting and the transfer market. Coach Oats landed a huge commitment from former 5-star Texas Tech guard Nimari Burnett. Despite the positive outlook for that bit of news, Burnett recently suffered a torn ACL and will miss the 2021 season forcing the Crimson Tide into a truly “next man up” situation.

That puts early pressure on the freshman duo of JD Davison and Jusaun Holt to flatten the learning curve and find a way to contribute quickly. That shouldn’t be too difficult of a task for the 6’3”, 5-star Davison who is closer to national recognition than being a bust. With Oats system to complement his skillset, and strong team defensive principles, Davison is in a position to thrive and replicate the production of his teammate Shackelford in his freshman season for the Tide.

Holt also enters an advantageous situation for Alabama carrying both size and scoring ability at all three levels. Due to Oats pace of play, Holt will be called upon at multiple positions to contribute offensively and guard according to the matchup. His versatility in this aspect completes one of the more well-rounded groups in the nation despite the injury to Burnett.