Alabama Men’s Basketball Holds First Official Team Practice
9/30/2016 4:08:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Crimson Tide’s 2016-17 season began with a pair of practices on Friday
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The 2016-17 Alabama men's basketball season officially began on Friday with the first practices of the season at the Coleman Coliseum Practice Gym.
The 14-man Crimson Tide team practiced twice on Friday, with the first full practice of the season occurring Friday morning, followed by another session in the afternoon.
Head coach Avery Johnson enters his second season at the helm of the Crimson Tide program this year. Johnson led Alabama to an 18-15 record last season, tying Wimp Sanderson's record for most wins by a first-year head coach set in 1980-81. Johnson said he was as excited as his players to get things officially started on Friday.
"Our team's been working hard and we've had a pretty grueling off season to say the least," Johnson said. "Our off season program was one that needed to be seriously evaluated. We did it. I like some of the things I experienced in our evaluation, and there were others that we needed to tweak and improve upon. We think we got that done and we think our players are in a little bit better shape and are a little bit stronger. Some are still not where we want them to be from a mental and physical standpoint, but they're young and they're maturing and they're developing so they'll get there.
"Overall, we had good energy in practice this morning. Probably one of our most physical practices that we've had here. We've got a lot of work to do. I like that we have some continuity with guys. We pretty much have a team where everybody's, for the most part, healthy. There are no serious limitations on anybody."
Alabama returns two starters and eight letterwinners from last season's squad that reached the NIT. The Tide will welcome four newcomers to the program, along with transfers Avery Johnson, Jr. and Nick King who are now eligible to play in the upcoming season.
Junior Riley Norris returns after starting the last half of the season. Norris finished last year as the team's leading rebounder pulling in 5.3 boards per game while also contributing 7.5 points per game. Senior Jimmie Taylor and sophomore Donta Hall should be cornerstones of the Tide's defense after blocking a combine 115 shots last year.
Senior Shannon Hale returns as the team's top scorer, averaging 10.8 ppg last season, and redshirt freshman Dazon Ingram returns to the court after being sidelined for the majority of the season with an injury. Ingram's 5.9 rebounds per game were leading the team before he was injured. In addition to Johnson, Jr. and King, graduate transfers Corban Collins (Morehead State) and Bola Olaniyan (Southern Illinois) are immediately eligible to suit up for the Tide.
"Right now, it's the beginning of the season and just have the mindset coming in of each and every day working hard," Collins said. "It's getting good at the little things. Little things are what's going to help us win tough games coming down the stretch of the season. Right now, we're really just focused on getting better each and every day."
"It's been a long off season," Norris said. "We put in a lot of hard work in the summer. There's a lot of teams, they put in a lot of work. I think it's going to pay off for us. Of course our goal is to be in the NCAA tournament this year and make a run in that. I think this morning we had a great first practice. A lot of intensity. I think we're moving towards the right direction."
Alabama will open the season with an exhibition game vs. Faulkner on Nov. 3. The regular season will begin on Nov. 11 with a double header. The women's team will host New Orleans at 5 p.m. CT, followed by the men facing Coastal Carolina at 8 p.m.
The second annual Tide Tipoff event will be held Oct. 21. Doors open at 6 p.m. for autographs, and the event begins at 7 p.m.
Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased online at RollTide.com/Tickets or by calling 1-877-TIDETIX (843-3849). Fans can also purchase tickets in advance at the Alabama Ticket Office, located in the lobby of Coleman Coliseum.
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