We continue our recruit and return series with the Alabama Crimson Tide, whose season ended Saturday with a loss to Villanova. Here's a look at what the 2018-19 season could hold:
Possible 2018-19 starting five
G: Dazon Ingram
G: John Petty
F: Braxton Key
F: Donta Hall
Who is lost: Collin Sexton looks to be a one-and-done as a projected lottery pick, so the Crimson Tide will have to replace their leading scorer. Senior forward Riley Norris, who was lost with a season-ending injury after only nine games, could be gone but would be eligible for a medical redshirt should he choose to apply. Same goes for senior guard Ar'Mond Davis, who missed the entire season.
Who is added: Avery Johnson signed three prospects in this recruiting class, led by ESPN 100 point guard Jared Butler. The 6-foot-3 playmaker should help cushion the loss of Sexton and add to an already talented backcourt. The Tide also signed four-star guard and in-state product Diante Wood, as well as 6-foot-9 big man Javian Fleming, also a four-star prospect.
What it means for next season: Considering how much talent will return from this NCAA tournament team and the addition of another solid recruiting class, the Crimson Tide should be poised to move up in the SEC standings and make the field of 68 again. Jones, Petty and Hall look like future pros (all three were in Jonathan Givony's 2019 Mock Draft last month), and there's good depth beyond that trio.
Trending: Up. After making the tourney for the first time in six years, Alabama looks like a squad that could make it two in a row.