Alabama men’s basketball coach Anthony Grant addressed the media Thursday for the first time since last season and spoke on a wide variety of topics.

Grant said he feels mental preparation will be the key to success for the Tide in the 2010-2011 season.

“During the offseason, I try to think about where we can get our team better and where my staff and I can improve,” Grant said. “The game is so mental. There have been a lot of things that we have done from a mental standpoint to make sure our guys and the staff is prepared. It’s still a work in progress.”

Junior forward JaMychal Green said he thinks the team and Grant will work well together after having a year of experience with each other.

“This year he is more comfortable,” Green said. “He has a better feel for the team and we have a better feel for him. We’re gelling more this year.”

Last season, the Tide finished the year with a 17-15 overall record and 6-10 in the Southeastern Conference. The Tide will be returning four starters, including last year’s leading rebounder and second leading scorer, JaMychal Green. The team will also feature five newcomers, including 7-foot-1 center Carl Engstrom, who has only played two years of organized basketball.

Bama ready to compete in SEC

There are a lot of questions across the board with every team in the SEC West. Last season, the Tide finished fourth in the division.

“A lot of guys that led our league last year are no longer with their teams,” Grant said. “There are a lot of teams on our side that could be in a position to elevate their status this year. The SEC is always going to be competitive.”

Players said they feel the division is wide open.

“We feel like we can compete with anybody,” Green said. “We feel like we have a chance to win the SEC Championship. I don’t think anybody could go out there and just outplay us.”

The Tide will open up SEC play on Jan. 8, 2011, on the road against Mississippi State. Other notable conference games include Kentucky, Tennessee and Florida.

Tide eyeing NCAA tournament berth

The men’s basketball team has not made an appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2006. This year’s team will be looking to end that streak. Hopes and dreams of making the tournament have turned into expectations for the Tide.

“We have the talent and the team to make it to the NCAA tournament,” Green said. “We just have to go out there and finish games.”

In 2006, the Tide, lead by then All-American guard Ronald Steele, made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament, where they were eliminated by UCLA.

The Tide kicks off its season in an exhibition against the University of Alabama at Huntsville on Nov. 8. Notable out of conference games for the Tide include Seton Hall, Purdue and Oklahoma State.