Great Expectations for Alabama Basketball

Alabama's Green faces added pressure, as expectations are high for the Crimson Tide. By Trevor Hass

(AP Photo)

JaMychal Green is the face of Alabama basketball. Though his last name is Green, the star forward certainly reps the Crimson Tide and is ready to lead Alabama to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006.

The Crimson Tide compiled an extraordinary 19-0 record at home last season, fending off Kentucky and Georgia. The team’s futile offense, however, was ranked 235th in the nation, averaging 66.7 points per game. This year Alabama will look to increase its productivity on offense, and Green is the main sparkplug expected to carry that burden.

Green’s scoring output has increased every season, as the forward has averaged 10.3, 14.1, and 15.5 points per game in his first three seasons. The Tide will need this upward trend to continue if they expect to qualify for the NCAA tournament.


With the #17 preseason ranking in the country, the Tide has come into shore, as the expectations are high. While Green will undoubtedly serve as the leader, he won’t be able to win games by himself. Forward Tony Mitchell and guard Trevor Releford will have to increase their productivity on offense as well.

Last season, defense wasn’t the problem. Much like their ferocious counterparts on the football field, the Tide shut down opponents when necessary. The problem was finding a way to get the ball in the basket, especially on the road, where Alabama was a lowly 6-12.

SEC environments can be hostile, but the Tide will need to utilize the senior leadership of Green to convert in the clutch. He needs to embrace the role as the go-to man in the waning seconds.

Ten out of the team’s first eleven games are at home, so getting off to a hot start should be no problem. Yet, as the season progresses, the Tide has to “Roll” into Lexington to take on Kentucky and face Arkansas, two games that will require a lot of preparation for head coach Anthony Grant.

Much of the load is on Green’s shoulders; if he can excel at the end of games and develop a more consistent outside jumper, Alabama should be able to make the NCAA tournament.