Countdown the NCAA Season: JNixon-Iggy9’s Top 35 Teams (#21)

21: Alabama Crimson Tide

Frontcourt- They lose a rugged rebounder and defender in Chris Hines, but they return everything else. The headliner for the 4^th straight year will be JaMychal Green, 6’9 230 guy who’s improved every year he’s been in school. He’s long and a very good athlete, and he’s put on a good amount of weight since he 1^st arrived in 2008, now looking like a prototypical current-day NBA PF. His mid-range game is getting better and better, as is his post game, where he shows a turnaround jumper and basic jump hooks. He’s not a great offensive player though, and it shows with some of the awkward TO’s and moves/shots he’ll occasionally take. He also needs to cut down on the fouls, as he’s not that fundamental a defender, despite his shot-blocking prowess. Green is definitely an NBA prospect and could even see himself as a late 1^st round pick if he continues to improve, but he’s a likely 2^nd round pick. Figuring in the mix for either the C/PF spot are Soph. Jason Carter, Carl Engstrom, Moussa Gueye, and Fr. Nick Jacobs. Given that Green can play either PF or C at this level, one of these guys growing up will determine how the actual lineup looks. The 6’8 235 Carter isn’t skilled, but he competes, has long arms, and plays with energy. He should play around 12 mpg next year. The 7’1 Engstrom is a project from Sweden, who has only played organized for basketball 2 years. Gueye is a huge body at 7’0 270 but he’s raw and needs to cut down on the fouls. He should play about 10 mpg next year though, he’s too long not to. The 6’8 255 southpaw Jacobs is a true back to basket big man. He’s got ready-made SEC size already and then some, good hands and feet as a post, and he’s a decent rebounder. He will have to adjust on D, and get more than 2 real moves (he only really has a left-hand jump hook and a basic drop step). He will need to contribute early though, and is the safest bet to play out of the 3. The wing spot will be held down by Jr. Tony Mitchell, a long 6’6 210 SF who can also function as a mismatch PF at this level too. Mitchell is ultra-athletic, energetic, and definitely looks the part of a SF at any level, is able to score without having plays run for him (although he is a target for backdoor alley-oops due to his explosiveness), and he is an excellent rebounder. Mitchell has promise on D, and is already a great shot-blocker and a solid ball-thief. He really runs the floor well and can be a hard cover for PF’s when he plays there due to his quickness. Mitchell needs to continue to work on his perimeter skills though, as his jumper and ball-handling skills both are a work in progress. He’s a real sleeper prospect who put up 15 ppg and 7 rpg with less than ideal perimeter polish as a combo forward. His athletic plays can change the momentum of games. Alabama has a lot of size and some very good athletes as well, and their 2 best prospects are bback and have a lot of experience now.

Backcourt- They lose freak athlete and underachiever Senario Hillman and chucker Charvez Davis, but don’t feel bad. Soph. guard Trevor Releford returns after a very good Fr. year (11 ppg, 3.4 apg, 48 FG%) . The 6’1 180 Releford is a quick slashing guard who can both score and set up guys. Releford has the potential to be one of the best guards in the SEC as soon as next year, he just needs to work on his shooting stroke and floor vision in half-court sets, both of which are developing works in progress. He is an excellent fit for the up-tempo style Coach Grant favors though. The SG spot has options, in the 2 touted Fr. Trevor Lacy and Levi Randolph, another Fr. in Rod Cooper, Sr. Andrew Steele, as well as Soph. Charles Hankerson. The 6’3 200 Lacy has been physically mature since he was a Soph. in HS, and has been on the radar just as long. He’s a strong SG who creates his own shots well, especially in the mid-range area. His style of play is perfect for Alabama, and he’s a smooth operator who really does play the game at his own pace. He’s not a great athlete or more than serviceable as a ball-handler, but he’ll be an immediate contributor because he plays mature and picks his spots well. I expect about 8 ppg and 3 rpg from him as a Fr. Randolph is a 6’5 wing who has nice all-around skills for a Fr. He can shoot it, slash a little, and he’s unselfish passing the ball. He’s not very strong yet and needs to work on his handle some more, but he does have potential offensively and his length will help him on D and as a finisher around the rim. Rodney Cooper is a shooter with length, but he isn’t quite strong.The 6’5 195 Hankerson is a physical guard who will do a lot of everything but stands out nowhere. He does rebound and defend reasonably well from the wing though. 6’4 225 Andrew Steele, the brother of former Crimson Tide PG Ronald Steele, is back for his last year. He looks to score on the wing, but he’s nothing special as a player at all.. Alabama has talent, athleticism, length, and a lot of youth. That youth will be ready to contribute in the conference slate (some alot more than others though), and some of the younger guys are already a bit battle tested in the SEC slate. I like their depth a lot.

Overall- Anthony Grant is one of the absolute most underrated coaches in the nation. He’s a strong in-game coach, a recruiter who gets good fits for the up-tempo style he prefers and they are fun to watch (as shown by the improvements the Tide have made in his 3 years there). I like the upside in their backcourt with Releford and Lacy, and Green and Mitchell is one of the most athletic frontline tandems in the nation. Their PF spot is a question, but they have the guards and talent outside of that on the frontline to make up for it. Look for Alabama to be a Sweet 16 team.