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After beating North Carolina, Syracuse shows itself to be a better edition of the Orange than last season, Jeff Goodman says.

Pressure's on

Pressure's on

When Mike Montgomery came to Cal, the Bears were in the Pac-10 cellar. Now, he has a shot to win the league, Josh Herwitt says.

Tight squeeze

Tight squeeze

Kansas escapes in another epic battle with Memphis, but Jeff Goodman says both squads left the court as winners.

Alabama Strategy and Personnel

by Sports Xchange


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Updated: October 23, 2009, 8:42 AM EDT
SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: F Tony Mitchell, a four-star prospect (Rivals.com), signed a year ago but had academic issues to clear up and thus was delayed a year. With Alonzo Gee's departure and the injury to Demetrius Jemison, Mitchell will be counted on to contribute right away. G Charvez Davis and F Chris Hines, junior college transfers, also could provide immediate help for what is not a very deep team. G Ben Eblen signed with new coach Anthony Grant. Without Shawn Kemp, a 6-9 forward who is spending a year in prep school, the class overall doesn't get high rankings but could provide some much-needed depth. Mitchell easily could wind up as a starter.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The non-conference schedule overall is heavily weighted with home games, with nine in Tuscaloosa through the first two months. The Tide catches Providence on Nov. 20 in Tuscaloosa and then plays its first outing away from home in the Old Spice Classic in Orlando, Fla., against Baylor on Nov. 26. A game against either Florida State or Iona will follow. Creighton, Marquette, Michigan and Xavier fill the other bracket of the eight-team affair. Purdue visits on Dec. 12, and the Tide plays Kansas State in Mobile on Dec. 19. The only non-conference game on an opponent's court before conference play is Jan. 4 at Toledo.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: The Crimson Tide could get a bounce from the coaching change if it can adapt to Anthony Grant's emphasis on defense. But expect to wait a season or two before seeing any lasting upgrades.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Anthony Brock, G Senario Hillman, G Mikhail Torrance, F Justin Knox, F JaMychal Green.

ROSTER REPORT:

--F Demetrius Jemison will miss the season after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles' tendon. A senior, Jemison played in 28 games last season, with two starts, averaging 3.1 points and 3.1 rebounds a game.

--F JaMychal Green rates high in coach Anthony Grant's book. "I think he's got a chance to be special," Grant said.

--F Yamene Coleman, who picked up a bachelor's degree in criminal justice in May, elected not to pursue his senior season. He played in all 32 games last season, averaging 3.7 points and 3.8 rebounds a game.

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