Bama Hammer
Fansided

Alabama Basketball Non-Conference Schedule Preview

By Thomas Jenkins

Feb 27, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Avery Johnson reacts during the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Avery Johnson reacts during the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Dec 21, 2015; Birmingham, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Riley Norris (1) drives to the basket as Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) defends at Legacy Arena. The Ducks defeated the Crimson Tide 72-68. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2015; Birmingham, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Riley Norris (1) drives to the basket as Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) defends at Legacy Arena. The Ducks defeated the Crimson Tide 72-68. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

3. At Oregon Ducks (December 11):

Last year, Alabama lost a close game to Oregon in Birmingham. Although this was a winnable game that slipped away in the final minutes, the loss was far from catastrophic, as the Ducks went on to become a 1-seed in the NCAA tournament and reach the Elite 8.

In hindsight, Alabama’s ability to play a close game with an elite team helped the team’s reputation greatly and was one of the contributing factors to the Crimson Tide’s resume for a potential NCAA Tournament berth later on that season.

More from Bama Hammer

Oregon should be an exceptionally tough opponent for the Tide this year and the fact that the game will be played in Eugene makes this contest look even more challenging. Oregon’s Dilllon Brooks is one of the top players in the country, and the Ducks can lean on his immense talent and veteran experience extensively this season.

No game is unwinnable, but this is probably the most difficult part of the Alabama basketball non-conference schedule, especially if Oregon is nearly as good as they were last year. Both teams will have had the opportunity to establish their identities and build up momentum by mid-December, and this contest could showcase each team playing at a very high level.

Next: Clemson Tigers

Home/Alabama Basketball