2008 Alabama Basketball Predictions & Season Preview

Written October 17, 2008 by Luke Knight

Last season the Alabama Crimson Tide failed to make the NCAA tournament for the second straight year. Mark Gottfried and company finished 17-16 and 5-11 in the SEC, which even caused them to miss the NIT tournament. This was the first time since 2000 that Alabama missed the postseason completely. In almost every loss last season, there were questions of how the team would have done if Ronald Steele had been healthy, instead of battling cartilage defects in his knees. Well, Ronald Steele is apparently healthy, and it is generally accepted that the Crimson Tide need to make the NCAA tournament for Gottfried to keep his job in Tuscaloosa. The Tide lost Richard Hendrix to the NBA Draft, but brings in a talented group of freshman, including McDonald’s All-American JaMychal Green. The college basketball odds makers think this team has a real shot to win their side of the conference. Check out BetUS where Alabama is +150 odds to win the SEC West.

Sophomore Justin Knox and junior Yamene Coleman filled in nicely when Richard Hendrix missed Alabama’s 62-52 loss at Kentucky. Both have size and seasoning to contribute on defense and on the boards. With Hendrix gone to the NBA, Knox and Coleman will be expected to fill that role on a daily basis. Also JaMychal Green, an energy-type player who lacks a refined low post game, is expected to start right away at Hendrix old spot at power forward. Green is considered Alabama’s most talented recruit since Hendrix signed in 2005 and it is quite fortuitous that he is coming in to the frontcourt as Hendrix departs. He is scary around the rim on both ends of the floor and should elevate this Tide team in SEC play. Small forward Alonzo Gee also returns for the Tide. Gee averaged 15.9 points per game before the SEC season started, and that averaged fell to 14.5 points per game for the season. Gee’s 13.4 points average during conference play will have to be improved on, since Gee’s cold streaks and mental lapses on the court can hurt the Tide. Demtrius Jemison should be a starter this season at forward and recruit Tony Mitchell could contribute right away.

Ronald Steele will run the backcourt from the point position. Steele has good speed and should provide a calming influence on the rest of the team just by being on the court. If Steele gets in trouble, Brandon Hollinger and Mikhail Torrance can help carry the load. The key will be for Steele to remain healthy, since last season the point position was a revolving door for this Tide team. Senario Hillman, sophomore shooting guard, wowed fans last season with powerful dunks and a nice shooting touch as the season went on. His development could mean a big time scoring threat for the Crimson Tide. Also, newcomers Andrew Steele, Ronald’s little brother, and Anthony Brock should help immediately on the perimeter. The younger Steele isn’t as quick as his brother and is considered more of a combo guard that plays more of a power game. Brock is a point guard, who is transferring from junior college.

Final Analysis

There is no question that this team has to make the NCAA Tournament or Mark Gottfried will be searching for a new job. Alabama has a lot of firepower returning with Ronald Steele, Senario Hillman, and Alonzo Gee, which should mean good things for the Crimson Tide. Newcomers JaMychal Green, Andrew Steele, Tony Mitchell, and Anthony Brock should also be impact players. As usual, the Crimson Tide world revolves around the fate of Ronald Steele and his knees. If he is healthy, the Tide will be tough to beat in the SEC West. If he goes down, things could get ugly in Tuscaloosa. We have the Tide competing for that top spot in the SEC West. Alabama should find themselves playing in the NCAA Tournament, which means Mark Gottfried’s job should be safe. Alabama is at +10000 odds to win the NCAA Championship this season at BetUS, so keep an eye on this team as they could be dangerous come March.

Check out the NCAA basketball picks from all of our expert handicappers including the author of this article, Luke Knight, and you will win more with your basketball betting this winter.

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