Alabama Basketball Announces Conference Schedule

Alabama football is in full force, but that doesn't mean basketball shuts down. Avery Johnson and the Crimson Tide's SEC schedule has been released, and there are some great match-ups for them in 2017.

In Johnson's first season in Tuscaloosa, he helped lead the Crimson Tide to an 8-10 SEC record, with big wins over top 25 teams South Carolina and Texas A&M. This season, they'll get to see Mississippi State, Auburn, Georgia, Missouri and LSU twice each, so that element of their schedule is definitely beneficial for win opportunities, considering they'll only see the likes of Kentucky, A&M, and Florida once during the regular season.

During the off-season, Alabama brought on freshman Braxton Key and JUCO transfer Ar'Mond Davis, plus they return redshirt freshman Dazon Ingram and leading rebounder Riley Norris, along with one of the best low post defenders in the nation last season in Donta Hall.

Should the Tide continue to improve upon last season, and given their excellent recruiting since Johnson arrived at Alabama, this year's schedule sets up well for Johnson and company, potentially leading to an NCAA Tournament appearance, their first since 2012.