The 2017-18 Alabama men’s basketball team officially began practice this week as it prepares for its trip north of the border to Canada. The Crimson Tide practiced on both Sunday night and Monday afternoon to account for two of the team’s 10 total NCAA-sanctioned practices before departing the United States on Aug. 4.

Alabama practiced for approximately two hours on both Sunday and Monday – the first full team workouts with the 2017-18 squad. The remaining eight practices will be spread out throughout the 17 days the Tide has before heading to Montreal on Aug. 4.

Alabama, which is ranked No. 22 in the nation in USA Today’s preseason top-25 poll, welcomes back four starters and seven letterwinners from last season's team that reached the National Invitation Tournament. The Tide returns 74 percent of its total scoring output, 58 percent of its rebounding and 77 percent of its assist totals from a year ago.

In addition to the returning firepower, Johnson welcomes a heralded signing class, ranked as high as No. 5 nationally, that will be on full display for the first time when the team takes the floor in Canada. Furthermore, 6-11, 240-pound forward/center Daniel Giddens, who sat out last season after transferring to the Capstone from Ohio State, is allowed to suit up for the Tide this season.

Per NCAA rules regarding a foreign tour, Alabama will hold 10 days of practices prior to leaving town. The Tide's trip will begin on Aug. 4 when it departs Tuscaloosa for Atlanta. After spending a night there, Alabama will fly to Montreal on the morning of Aug. 5, where it will spend two days. Following its stay in Montreal, the Tide will travel to Ottawa on Aug. 7 where it will stay for the next three days before returning home.

Alabama will play a total of three games against three Canadian Universities throughout its time in Montreal and Ottawa. The first game will be played on Aug. 7 against McGill University at 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT) in Montreal. The Tide will then play a pair of games in Ottawa, beginning with a contest on Aug. 9 at Carleton University at 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT) followed by facing the University of Ottawa on Aug. 10 at 6:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. CT).

Deposits for 2017-18 men’s basketball season tickets are currently being accepted by The University of Alabama TIDE PRIDE/Ticket Office. Fans can click HERE for more information or to make their deposit today.

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