The Alabama men’s basketball team will play in a game that actually counts toward its record Friday, Nov. 9, as it hosts the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Coleman Coliseum. The game will tip off at 7 p.m., and it will be televised on ESPNU.
Not only is this the first game of the regular season for the Tide, but it also kicks off the 2k Sports Classic that benefits the Wounded Warrior Project.
“It would be an understatement to say that we are excited about this upcoming week with the season starting,” head coach Anthony Grant said. “I think our guys have been going at it pretty good here for the last two or three weeks since practice started. I think it’s great for us to have a chance to play outside competition.”
Alabama did not play up to expectations in its Tuesday exhibition match versus Stillman in the first half, but the Tide fought back to win 76-68.
However, freshman Devonta Pollard lived up to the hype surrounding his name and arrival to the Capstone. He tallied 15 points and seven rebounds.
Pollard and fellow newcomer Retin Obasohan, from Antwerp, Belgium, will give the Tide much needed depth for the 2012 season, and Grant has taken notice of their hard work.
“Both [Pollard] and Retin, both freshmen, are picking things up well,” Grant said. “They are understanding with every practice what is going to be expected of them and what they have to do. It’s a learning experience every day. I don’t think there will ever be a situation where as a freshman, you can say, ‘OK, he’s got it.’ Every experience, every day is a new day. I think both of those guys are doing well.”
South Dakota State will not be a cakewalk for Grant and company. Last season, the Jackrabbits appeared in the NCAA tournament and finished the season with a 27-8 record.
The Summit League’s annual preseason poll – voted on by coaches, media and sports information directors – shows South Dakota State was almost unanimously chosen to win the conference. Thirty of the 31 first-place votes were in favor of the Jackrabbits, and head coaches cannot vote for their own team.
SDSU senior guard Nate Wolters was also chosen as the Summit League’s preseason player of the year. Wolters was selected as an AP honorable mention All-American last year.
Alabama will have its hands full with the Jackrabbits Friday night, but Grant is confident his team will iron out its flaws as the season progresses.
“I think it all may be rough edges at this point,” Grant said. “It’s the first week in November, so I think what you want to be able to do is see where you can get better. For us, it’s an opportunity to teach and learn. I think it’ll be about trying to figure out what gives us the best chance to be successful as we move forward.”
Alabama will continue in the 2k Sports Classic Sunday, Nov. 11, when it hosts the West Alabama Tigers at 4 p.m.
