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Alabama Basketball: The hottest team on campus?

By Brandon Nickel

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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Sacrilegious to say? Maybe. Yet, the men’s basketball team at Alabama is so hot on the minds of everyone in college sports, especially their freshmen stars.

At this time of the year, nobody in Alabama would have suspected that the Crimson Tide team that was the talk of Tuscaloosa would be the men’s basketball team. In a city, as well as a state, where football reigns supreme annually, Alabama basketball is making a name for itself.

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Mike Parham of BamaHammer.com reported that “the Tide, led by Collin Sexton and Dazon Ingram, relied on a late run to put away the [Louisiana Tech] Bulldogs,” last night. Both Sexton and Ingram “were needed every step of the way down the stretch.”

This picture has been becoming the standard for Alabama basketball, this season. Sexton and the rest of Alabama’s young stars are captivating the entire basketball world, not just the college ranks.

After losing a tight battle against high-ranked Minnesota, while only playing with three men for almost the entire second half, even NBA legend Dwayne Wade took time on Twitter to comment on the freshman guard’s game:


Sexton is not just about flashy hype; the numbers speak for themselves about how good the freshman is doing. Sexton averages 30.8 minutes and 24.7 points per game. He also has almost two steals per game, showing some defensive prowess as well.

Ingram, a sophomore guard, has been lighting up opposing teams as well:

While injured, the plethora of top young guards continues with John Petty, averaging 12.3 points per game. He will be eased into games after injuring his ankle, but Petty should be fine to make a solid three-guard scoring system for the Crimson Tide.

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Duke may hold the No. 1 ranking in college basketball, and justifiably so, but the 6-1 Alabama basketball team is what is on many people’s minds. While U.S. college basketball gets little to no air time on Canadian sports broadcasts this time of year, Alabama’s young stars have been seen or mentioned on many of them, especially after the 3-on-5 comeback.

Does this mean that men’s basketball is replacing football as the big sport for the University of Alabama? Absolutely not. Put down those pitch forks, because there is no need to get upset. Football remains the most favorite sport in Tuscaloosa.

However, with the football team’s playoff hopes in jeopardy this weekend, Alabama basketball has been a glimmer of light in the dark clouds hanging over campus. Alabama’s young guards have not just been winning, they have looked challenging and competitive to some bigger programs in the country.

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Alabama football head coach Nick Saban is now not the only beloved coach around Tuscaloosa. Avery Johnson has done a great job changing the culture for the men’s basketball team and guiding young stars like Sexton, Ingram, and Petty to believe that they can have success right now, instead of desperately hoping for a better future.

Men’s basketball may not be the favorite team for the University of Alabama, but they are solidifying their position as a definite second.

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