Summer Tip Off Event Big Success
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Avery Johnson Announces Non-Conference Basketball Schedule
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| Coach Avery Johnson At Summer Tip Off Photo Credit: AL.com/Vasha Hunt |
In a first-of-its-kind event, Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball head coach Avery Johnson announced the 2016-17 non-conference schedule at the Summer Tip Off event in Birmingham last night. It was a great turnout, in fact, a standing room only crowd showed up at the Grand Bohemian Hotel to watch as Johnson and the rest of the Crimson Tide men's basketball coaching staff, as well as each of the Alabama players used touch screens to unveil this season's schedule game-by-game and provide commentary.
This season's non-conference schedule will include very competitive teams from the Big 12, Pac 12, ACC, Atlantic 10 and others. It proves to be a challenging season for the Crimson Tide.
Six non-conference games will be featured this coming season at Coleman Coliseum, as well as two contests inside the state of Alabama at other venues. Outside of Coleman the Tide will host the Clemson Tigers in the Vulcan Classic at Legacy Arena in Birmingham on December 18th. This will be the second consecutive year the Tide has played at this particular venue. Last year the Crimson Tide fell to the Oregon Ducks in a close contest, 72-68. Alabama's record stands at 44-21 when competing in the Magic City. The other in-state game away from Coleman Coliseum will be with the Arkansas State Red Wolves in the Rocket City Classic at the Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville on December 21st. This is just the second contest in 16 years in the Rocket City for Bama, with the Tide then capturing a 75-51 victory over Chattanooga.
It all starts early November then Alabama opens the 2016-17 campaign hosting Coastal Carolina in the season-opener for both teams on November 11th. This particular game is not only the first contest of the year, but is also the first of two home games as part of the Las Vegas Main Event. As part of the event, Alabama will also host Ball State on November 18th.
There will be another game between those two contests, which will be a home contest. The Tide faces Dayton on November 15th. It should be pointed out that the Dayton Fliers were co-champions of the Atlantic 10 just this past year, and are coming off a third consecutive appearance at the NCAA Tournament.
After hosting three games at home, the Crimson Tide will then be traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada for the Main Event being held at the MGM Grand Hotel. Alabama will open with Valparaiso on November 21st, then move on to play either BYU or St. Louis on November 23rd.
The team will then be given a break for the Thanksgiving holidays. Following that, Bama returns home to Coleman Coliseum to host Charleston Southern on November 29th. Two big out of conference road games then await the Tide. Alabama heads to Austin, Texas for a contest with the Texas Longhorns on December 2nd, followed by a trip to Eugene, Oregon for a return engagement with the Oregon Ducks on December 11th. After the Thanksgiving break, the team will return home to host Charleston Southern on Nov. 29 before playing two big road games to begin the month of December. Alabama will first travel to Austin, Texas, where it will take on the Texas Longhorns on Dec. 2. The Tide will then head west to Eugene, Ore., to square off against the Oregon Ducks on Dec. 11. Just this past season both Texas and Oregon were in the NCAA Tournament. Oregon even reached the Elite 8.
Then it's back home to Tuscaloosa again as Alabama hosts USC Upstate on December 15th. It's on to the Vulcan Classic in Birmingham after that, and the Rocket City Classic in Huntsville (December 18 and 21). The Crimson Tide will conclude the non-conference portion of their schedule with a home game against Stetson on December 29th.
The Crimson Tide showcases their talent for the 2016-17 season with an exhibition game in Coleman Coliseum to tip it all off on November 3rd against Faulkner.
The Southeastern Conference portion of the schedule, as well as all start times and television carriers, will be announced when it becomes available at a later date.
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| 2016-17 University Of Alabama Men's Basketball Team Photo Credit: AL.com/Vasha Hunt |
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| Photo Credit: RollTide.com |
2016-17 Crimson Tide Men's Basketball Non-Conference Schedule:
Exhibition Game: Faulkner -- November 3
Coastal Carolina -- November 11
Dayton -- November 15
Ball State -- November 18
Valparaiso -- November 21
BYU or St. Louis -- November 23
Charleston Southern -- November 29
Texas -- December 2
Oregon -- December 11
USC Upstate -- December 15
Vulcan City Classic: Clemson -- December 18
Rocket City Classic: Arkansas State -- December 21
Stetson -- December 23
*Home Games in bold print
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5-Star Recruit Jacoby Stevens Sets Decision Date
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Former UA Head Basketball Coach David Hobbs To Iowa State
5-Star Recruit Jacoby Stevens Sets Decision Date
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| Jacoby Stevens Photo Credit: usatodayhss.com |
Five-star safety prospect Jacoby Stevens has said he will be making his commitment announcement on August 8th in a ceremony to be held at Oakland High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT. According to the 247Sports composite, Stevens is the No. 2 safety in the country, as well as the No. 25 overall prospect.
The 6' 2", 200-pound Stevens has said that The University of Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Georgia are his four finalists. He is being considered mainly as a safety on the college level, but is also being considered as a receiver.
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Former UA Head Basketball Coach David Hobbs To Iowa State
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| Former UA Men's Basketball Head Coach David Hobbs Quazoo photo |
Former University of Alabama Crimson Tide head men's basketball coach David Hobbs has joined the coaching staff of Iowa State, to serve under former Crimson Tide player and current Iowa State head basketball coach Steve Prohm. Prom was under consideration for the head coaching job at Alabama following the departure of Anthony Grant from the program. Hobbs position with Iowa State is described as a none-recruiting role. He is designated as Special Assistant.
His last two seasons in Tuscaloosa were far inferior to his earlier successes. Huge losses in games, including falling by 50 points to Auburn, poor recruiting and lackluster drive led to Hobbs' resigning after the 1998 season. While at the Capstone, Hobbs compiled a record of 110-76 (59.4%) and produced nine All-SEC players.
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Former UA Coach Bo Davis Joins Jacksonville Jaguars
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| Former UA Football Assistant Bo Davis Photo Credit: William Purnell/Icon Sportswire |
The Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League yesterday announced the addition of former University of Alabama football assistant Bo Davis as one of five training camp interns. Davis resigned his position with Alabama in April concerning an NCAA investigation into recruiting violations.
Davis will be assisting with the defense for the Jags.
