Crimson Tide to Hit the Hardwood on Friday
10/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 15, 2009
Tuscaloosa, Ala. -
The Anthony Grant era begins in earnest Friday evening as the Alabama men's basketball team conducts its first official practice under the first-year head coach. While the Crimson Tide has been through six weeks of preseason conditioning and limited team workouts per NCAA rules, Friday marks the first true team practice for teams across the nation as the clock ticks down to the start of the 2009-10 basketball season.
The necessary adjustments and learning curve associated in becoming familiar with Grant's up-tempo style of play is one of the team's biggest areas of concentration heading into the first practice session.
"That's going to be the biggest question for me. That and our toughness," said senior point guard Mikhail Torrance. "Coach puts that on us all the time - are we going to be ready? I think we are."
The Tide opens practice with 11 players, including four newcomers, after losing senior Demetrius Jemison for the season with an Achilles tendon injury.
With those four newcomers and seven others adjusting to a new system, Grant is acutely aware of the importance of the first few days of practice.
"I think we are heading into a part of our season where we will have to determine a lot," said Grant. "I am excited about what I've seen out of the guys, their commitment, their work ethic and their willingness to do the things that we're asking of them as a staff. I think right now heading into the start of practice we're about where we need to be."
Alabama will have approximately two-and-a-half weeks of practice before its first exhibition test against Montevallo on November 4 at Coleman Coliseum at 7:30 p.m. The team's regular season tips off on November 14 against Cornell. Season tickets and mini-plans are still available for the 2009-10 season by clicking here or calling 205-348-BAMA.
