Alabama Crimson Tide
2021-2022 Overall Rank: #7
Conference Rank: #1 SEC
Alabama is coming off their first SEC title since 2002. The Crimson Tide finished 16-2 in conference play and reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004. Now Coach Nate Oats’ job is to keep it going. However, this will be a very, very different group than the one that had so much success a season ago. Four starters are gone and Alabama will have to rely on a very talented group of newcomers to keep this group at the top of the SEC.
2020-21 Record: 26-7, 16-2
2020-21 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Nate Oats
Coach Record: 42-22 at Alabama, 138-65 overall
Key Departed Players:
John Petty Jr, Guard, 12.6 ppg
Herbert Jones, Forward/Guard, 11.2 ppg
Joshua Primo, Guard, 8.1 ppg
Jordan Bruner, Forward, 5.6 ppg
Alex Reese, Forward, 5.4 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Jaden Shackelford, Junior, Guard, 14.0 ppg
Jahvon Quinerly, Junior, Guard, 12.9 ppg
Keon Ellis, Senior, Guard, 5.5 ppg
Juwan Gary, Sophomore, Forward, 3.8 ppg
James Rojas, Senior, Forward, 2.9 ppg
Darius Miles, Sophomore, Forward, 2.2 ppg
Jaden Quinerly, Sophomore, Guard, 2.0 ppg
Keon Ambrose-Hylton, Sophomore, Forward, 1.2 ppg
Key New Players:
Charles Bediako, Freshman, Center
Nimari Burnett, Sophomore, Guard, Transfer from Texas Tech
JD Davison, Freshman, Guard
Noah Gurley, Senior, Forward, Transfer from Furman
Jusaun Holt, Freshman, Guard
Alex Tchikou, RS Freshman, Forward
Projection:
Jaden Shackelford is back after flirting with the NBA and the transfer portal. The 6-3 junior led the Crimson Tide with 14.0 points. He will team up with Jahvon Quinerly provided an impressive spark off the bench last year and averaged 12.9 points and 3.2 assists. His ability to drive to the basket will go a long way in opening up the offense. Freshman JD Davison, a McDonald’s All-American, will add another quality ballhandler who has the athleticism and speed to the backcourt. Speaking of McDonald’s All-Americans, Nimari Burnett earned that accolade two years ago before spending one relatively uneventful season at Texas Tech. If he finds his form, Burnett will provide the Tide with another quality outside shooting threat. Alex Tchikou and Charles Bediako will provide the size to the roster. Tchikou missed his true freshman campaign with an injury, but is ready to go now. Bediako is a seven-footer and the incoming freshman is brimming with potential, but will need to bulk up. Sophomore Juwan Gary will likely start at the power forward spot after averaging 3.8 points and 2.8 rebounds as a freshman. With senior James Rojas out for the season with an ACL injury, Furman transfer Noah Gurley will provide much of the frontcourt experience. The three-year starter with the Paladins averaged 15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 blocks last season. If the new look frontcourt can stay healthy, this is an Alabama team that should be able to repeat last year’s success.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 79.7 (25th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 70.1 (171, 5)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.5 (201, 10)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.8 (38, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 10.5 (3, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.2 (109, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.8 (180, 9)
Rebound Margin: 2.7 (95, 5)
Assists Per Game: 14.1 (103, 5)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.9 (220, 6)
Madness 2022 NBA Draft Rankings:
#18 Josh Primo
#21 JD Davison
Madness 2021 Men’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#9 JD Davison
#31 Charles Bediako
#85 Jusaun Holt
