Reier: Despite Difficulty, Alabama Basketball Can Still be Successful

Monday afternoon Alabama basketball coach Anthony Grant announced that forward Devonta Pollard was no longer enrolled at the University of Alabama.

The decision did not come as a surprise as Pollard faces legal troubles as he was arrested for conspiracy to commit kidnapping on June 4th. Pollard’s departure however, paired with the transfers of Moussa Gueye and Trevor Lacey do leave the Alabama basketball program in a difficult position.

Alabama will be shorthanded next season with just 11 scholarship players on the roster, 9 of them available to play in 2013-2014 (Michael Kessens and Ricky Tarrant will both have to sit out due to transfers). The timing could not be worse as Alabama has one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country.

“You know I think they can be successful, but it becomes ‘what defines success.’ Is 18, 19, 20 wins a success if you don’t make the big dance? I don’t think so” Bamaonline’s Travis Reier said Monday night on The Game.

“A 20 win season once carried a lot of weight, but now it comes down to are you in the big dance. That is really where Coach Grant needs to take this program: back to the dance for the 2nd time in three years. I still think this team can do that; its going to be tough with the limited numbers, but I don’t think Pollard’s loss specifically damages them,”

While Grant supporters point to his string of twenty-win seasons his critics point to his lack of tournament play. Now, those same critics have cited Pollard’s withdrawal as a reason why Alabama may miss out on the big dance putting Coach Grant on the hot seat, while supporters feel he should get a pass.

“I don’t think it eliminates Alabama from the tournament, but I don’t think it’s big enough to give Anthony Grant a pass if they don’t” Reier said.