Avery Johnson and Kristy Curry Talk Tide Tipoff [VIDEO]
The Alabama men's and women's basketball teams hosted their inaugural Tide Tipoff at Coleman Coliseum Tuesday night, celebrating the imminent arrival of both programs' seasons.
Afterward, men's and women's coaches Avery Johnson and Kristy Curry raved about it.
"Tonight was a celebration of our men’s and women’s basketball teams, our students, administration, season ticket holders and folks who work here in Coleman Coliseum that get the courts ready and chairs down," Johnson said. "We had Coach (Nick) Saban coming on the video. You saw all of us pulling in the same direction, as we are all about Roll Tide."
"Just thank you to every person that was in the building tonight and for the incredible amount of support from the staff that played a huge part in making this happen and all their energy and effort," Curry said.
Nearly 7,500 fans filled Coleman Coliseum to watch both teams compete in dance, 3-point and dunk contests, as well as brief scrimmages. Once the basketball was finished for the night, hip hop duo Rae Sremmurd performed to cap off the event.
Freshman Lawson Schaffer won the 3-point contest with 17 total points, while freshman Donta Hall won the dunk contest against competitors Brandon Austin and Retin Obasohan. The men's team also defeated the women's team in the dance contest.
Junior forward Jimmie Taylor was the only player absent from the event due to a "family emergency."
"We really missed Jimmie Taylor," Johnson said. "He had a family emergency that he had to take care of. Jimmie's OK. He's 100 percent. But we really miss Jimmie, and we send our prayers to Jimmie and his family for the situation that they're dealing with. We missed Jimmie tonight.”