GETTING INSIDE

As in any program involving a coaching change, the question of how the new guy differs from the old one is a pertinent one.

So what style of play can be expected at Alabama this season with Anthony Grant taking over for Mark Gottfried?

“In a word, up-tempo,” Grant said as he began preseason preparations. “We want from an offensive standpoint to be a team that tries to get out in transition as much as we can and plays an aggressive, attacking style.

“Defensively, we want to be a team that plays 94 feet in one form or another, whether it’s pressing or man-to-man or applying some type of pressure using the entire floor. I’d say the up-tempo style is probably the best way to describe it.”

The plus factor here is that the Crimson Tide seems to have the personnel to adapt to that approach.

Returning starters JaMychal Green, Senario Hillman, Justin Knox and Mikhail Torrance should fit right in with that style.

Hillman, a 6-1 guard, is the leading returning scorer at 12.9 points per game, and Green was the leading rebounder as a freshman last year at 7.6. He also averaged better than 10 points a game.

Torrance took over at point guard after Ronnie Steele, who scored at 10.0 clip, left the team, and Knox was a steadying force inside.

Settling on the fifth starter will be an early issue. Anthony Brock, a 5-9 senior, could take over at the point, with Torrance moving to shooting guard. Sophomore Freshman Ben Eblen is another candidate at the point.

“I think with those guys, there will be times that those guys play together and there will be other times they will be the primary ball handler in the game,” Grant said.

“I think, hopefully, again it’s all relative right now, because we haven’t played anybody and we haven’t really practiced, but going into the preparation for the season we will have at least some options for the point guard position.”

NOTES, QUOTES

• After beginning February with a four-game losing streak, Alabama won five of its last seven games, including a victory at Tennessee that cost the Volunteers sole possession of the Eastern Division title.

• F JaMychal Green was a unanimous selection for the SEC’s All-Freshman Team last season. He was sixth among freshmen in scoring at 11.6 and led in rebounding at 7.9.

• G Anthony Brock shot 44.9 percent from 3-point range, but with only 49 tries did not have enough attempts to qualify for the rankings.

Last Year:   18-14 overall, 7-9 in the SEC.

Head Coach:   Anthony Grant (career 76-25); first year at Alabama.

Quote To Note:   “We expect our guys every single day to bring a level of energy to the practice floor and to the games. We expect from an offensive standpoint to be able to play unselfishly, to be able to play team basketball and defensively play to our identity, which will hopefully be an aggressive, disruptive-type team.”—Coach Anthony Grant, on the expectations for the Tide in his first season.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

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.