Greg Byrne needs to re-define what is the standard for Alabama basketball

Alabama basketball appears to be at a crossroad. Greg Byrne needs to re-define the future standard of the program and how it will be achieved.

Alabama basketball fans it is time to put the future of the Alabama basketball men’s program fully in Greg Byrne’s lap. Even if the frequent accolades about his acumen are correct, he faces a challenge.

Crimson Tide fans should demand Byrne take ownership of the standard for Alabama basketball. Once the standard is clearly defined, the head coach must be required to achieve it. We have specific ideas as what that standard should be and an argument for why it should be mandated.

First, we encourage all readers to read what Cecil Hurt published Saturday morning, with a title that said: “Sooner or later, things have to change for Alabama basketball.”

We are in the camp of “sooner” is far better than “later.” We are prepared to back that contention up with some facts.

After whatever NIT game ends the current season, Alabama basketball will have been through 27 seasons since Wimp Sanderson was the head coach. C.M. Newton and Wimp defined a standard for Alabama basketball. That standard featured SEC regular season Championships, NCAA Tournament appearances (some when the fields were much smaller) and SEC Tournament Championships.

Newton inherited a woeful Alabama basketball program that for a decade had struggled to win half of its games. It was a slow build but Paul Bryant’s patience paid off and by the 1974 season, the Crimson Tide was a force in the SEC.

In Newton’s last seven seasons and Wimp Sanderson’s twelve, Alabama had its best run ever. The 19 seasons included four SEC regular-season Championships, five SEC Tournament Championships, 12 NCAA Tournament appearances and 14 seasons when the Crimson Tide won 20 or more games. All accomplished at a place that was not a basketball school.

The 27 seasons since Wimp stepped down include the tenures of David Hobbs (6), Mark Gottfried (11), Anthony Grant (6) and soon-to-be four seasons of Avery Johnson. What has been achieved? Ten seasons of 20 or more wins, nine NCAA Tournament appearances, one SEC regular-season Championship and zero SEC Tournament Championships.

How should the two different periods of Alabama basketball be described? Keeping it to short words, we label the older period “pretty damn good.” The more recent period we call “just average.”

Now, drill it down even more to the ten seasons of Anthony Grant and Avery Johnson. Maybe five seasons with 20 or more wins, two NCAA Tournament appearances, zero SEC regular-season Championships and zero SEC Tournament Championships. We only need a one-word description, “unacceptable.”

Greg Byrne – What is the Standard for Alabama Men’s Basketball?

We urge Greg Byrne to accept our challenge to define the standard for Alabama basketball. A standard is not a goal – it is what must be achieved. We ask Greg to be specific and clear. We also suggest keeping it simple. The Alabama Men’s Basketball program will compete in the NCAA Tournament on average, two out of every three seasons.

To reach that standard under Avery Johnson, Alabama basketball will have to make the NCAA Tournament for the next five seasons. If Greg Byrne believes Avery can accomplish that, there is no need for a coaching search.

Some reading this suggested standard may find it too demanding. Remember, if a school fields a good basketball team in a major Division 1 conference, it is not that hard to make the NCAA, 68-team field. Jay Bilas was not totally wrong on Saturday when he said all the current Bubble teams “stink.”

The standard we are proposing just basically says in two-thirds of Alabama basketball seasons, the team will not stink. It does not mandate any NCAA Tournament wins, or SEC regular-season Championships or SEC Tournament Championships. However, the standard must also include the requirement that it be achieved without any Bruce Pearl or apparently Mark Gottfried type shortcuts.

It is time to step up Greg!

Accept our proposed standard or better yet, a more demanding one. Then own it. Avery does not have the faith of much of the fan base. Almost no one wants to hear what he believes can be achieved. If Avery is to return for another year, Greg, you must step up and state what you are convinced will be achieved AND MORE IMPORTANTLY what is your standard for Alabama basketball.

We prefer boldness, but specificity and clarity is the minimum requirement. Define the standard, determine if Avery can achieve it and if he can’t, move on to provide all the necessary components for a guy who can achieve them. Sooner – not later.

One more thing Greg, if you choose sustained mediocrity, because of a Buyout or any other reason. You must own that decision as well.