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Alabama Basketball: Tide wins exhibition without Collin Sexton

By Ronald Evans

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 10: Avery Johnson the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide gives instructions to his team in the game against the Ole Miss Rebels during the second round of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 10, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 10: Avery Johnson the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide gives instructions to his team in the game against the Ole Miss Rebels during the second round of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 10, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Alabama basketball survived the unavailability of four players Monday night and beat DII opponent Alabama-Huntsville, 74-65.

Four Alabama basketball players sat out Monday night’s exhibition game. Three of them, Riley Norris, Braxton Key and Armond Davis could not play due to injuries. The fourth unavailable player was super-freshman, Collin Sexton.

Sexton has practiced with the team throughout the preseason, but could not play on Monday because his eligibility has not been restored by the NCAA. Will it be restored, and if so, when are questions currently without answers.

ICYMI: Alabama AD Greg Byrne statement.

The FBI probe of college basketball that caused the exit from Alabama of men’s basketball administrator, Kobie Baker, also touched the Collin Sexton family. Baker arranged a meeting that Collin’s father attended to be introduced to potential future financial advisors for the Sexton family. Allegedly, Baker was paid $10,000 dollars to set up such connections. Unlike player families from other schools, to date, there is no public evidence the Sexton family received any money.

ICYMI: The background on the FBI investigation into college basketball.

The University of Alabama has not disclosed how Collin Sexton became ineligible. It could be the University is being cautious and sought review by the NCAA. Until such review is complete, ruling Sexton ineligible is prudent. It is also important to remember when the FBI probe went public, the NCAA was not involved.

What happens next with Sexton?

We don’t know. The University of Alabama may not know. How fast a review by the NCAA can be conducted and completed is also unknown. Collin Sexton may be ineligible for a few days, a few weeks or forever.

Alabama 74 – Alabama-Huntsville (UAH) 65

Alabama basketball fans should not be shocked by this score. UAH is a very good DII college basketball program. In another early season game back in 2010, it took the Tide two overtimes to beat UAH.

UAH coach Lennie Acuff teaches ‘Princeton Offense’ concepts that are difficult to defend. Monday night was very much like the Tide’s last game last season, against Richmond. Same offensive style, same disciplined execution. When UAH opened the game with a 14-1 lead, it looked as though the outcome might match the Richmond game.

There is a difference between last season and the 2017-18 Alabama basketball team. Even with four players on the bench, the Tide fielded a bunch of talent. John Petty looks like a one-and-done player. Herb Jones is not far behind him. Alex Reese appears to have a bright future. They are all freshmen.

Daniel Giddins may be an inside post player who can consistently score. Dazon Ingram plays with poise that he sometimes lacked in the past. Add Braxton Key and Riley Norris to this mix and the Tide could go far. Even without Collin Sexton.

Alabama basketball fans don’t want to think about that possibility. Collin Sexton can be a game-changer. This much, we can be sure. If Sexton plays one future game for Alabama basketball, whenever that may transpire, all eligibility concerns will be over. Alabama basketball is taking the proper action.

Game Stats from Monday night (and they are not all pretty)

Team Leaders

  • Daniel Giddens – 17 points and 10 rebounds
  • John Petty – 14 points and 9 rebounds
  • Herb Jones – 14 points and 4 assists
  • Dont’a Hall and Alex Reese – 8 rebounds each

Team Stats

  • Field goal percentage – 44 percent
  • Three-point percentage – 14 percent (3-for-21)
  • Free-throw percentage – 52 percent (13-for-25)
  • Turnovers – 17; Points off Turnovers – 26
  • Steals – 14; Assists – 10
  • Rebound Margin: UA-50; UAH – 35

Other than the rebound margin, the steals and the points off turnovers, the stats show a team in need of much improvement. There is no doubt the team will improve. The questions are how rapidly and with whom on the court.

Next: Check out a detailed review of all the new players

Before Alabama basketball fans get too stressed about the Sexton situation, remember Avery has amassed an abundance of talent. John Petty and Herb Jones can be special players, very special.

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