Top-rated prospects are flocking to Tuscaloosa for Alabama’s spring practices, with new coaches on campus extending numerous offers and re-offers. Since joining the Kalen DeBoer staff a few weeks ago, Offensive Line Coach Chris Kapilovic has been notably active.
The Crimson Tide’s offensive line recruiting efforts for 2025 and 2026 are expanding rapidly, with Kapilovic issuing more offers. Among the recent recipients of an offer from Kapilovic is four-star Maxwell Riley from Avon Lake, OH, ranked as the No. 3 offensive tackle in the 2026 class.
The 6-foot-5, 263-pound prospect visited Tuscaloosa for spring practice earlier this week, marking his second visit as a recruit. He spoke with 247Sports Allen Trieu immediately after the visit.
“In general, my mom and I had a fantastic experience at Alabama yesterday,” he remarked. “The entire staff was exceptionally hospitable throughout the day. I particularly enjoyed observing practice and witnessing the team’s enthusiasm.” Bama247 reached out to Riley over the weekend for further insights into his early recruitment by the Crimson Tide.
Alabama basketball had to wait patiently for its opportunity in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, but now Crimson Tide teams have participated in 24 tournaments.
During the era of a 32-team NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in 1974, Coach C.M. Newton’s Alabama team was gaining recognition by competing in the NIT in New York, a tournament still highly esteemed but not equivalent to the national championship. In that season, Alabama and Vanderbilt shared the Southeastern Conference championship, but Vanderbilt secured the NCAA bid due to a tie-breaker.
Adding insult to injury, the ’74 Mideast Regional was held at Alabama’s Memorial Coliseum, now known as Coleman Coliseum. Vanderbilt, led by Coach Roy Skinner, participated in the regional alongside Al McGuire’s Marquette, Johnny Orr’s Michigan, and Notre Dame under Digger Phelps.
Here are some related anecdotes:
I had the pleasure of accompanying Al McGuire, who rode his motorcycle from Wisconsin to Tuscaloosa, to the renowned Cotton Patch restaurant in Eutaw. During our visit, McGuire graciously autographed a basketball for the owner, Bradley Brown. Following the unfortunate burning down of the restaurant, Brown expressed that the irreplaceable item lost was the autographed ball.
Following Notre Dame’s defeat by Michigan in the semifinals, McGuire was surprised by the large contingent of Michigan fans in Tuscaloosa. The local crowd, still reeling from Alabama’s football loss to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl earlier that year, was strongly against Notre Dame.
Additionally, due to an NCAA rule prohibiting teams from participating in the NIT if their school hosted a regional, Alabama’s impressive 22-5 team (with a 15-3 record in the SEC) had to stay home.
Alabama’s 1956 “Rocket Eight” team, led by Coach Johnny Dee, boasted one of the nation’s strongest records with a 21-3 overall record and a flawless 14-0 performance in the SEC, clinching the championship title. Notably, they were the first team ever to score 100 points against Adolph Rupp’s Kentucky team, defeating them 101-77. However, despite their success, the team declined the invitation to the NCAA Tournament due to NCAA rules that rendered most of the team’s stars ineligible, as they had played as freshmen.
Finally, in 1975, Alabama received its first selection to the NCAA Tournament since its inception in 1939. However, the circumstances were less than ideal, as only one college team, Arizona State, was both hosting and playing in a regional. Alabama’s SEC championship-winning team, ranked 10th in the nation with a 15-3 conference record and a 22-5 overall record, was sent to Tempe. Their NCAA Tournament journey began with a close 97-94 loss, marking the start of a new era for Alabama basketball.
In the summer of 1975, a reporter from New York, aware of my background as a North Carolina graduate, asked about Alabama’s basketball prospects. I expressed confidence in the team, anticipating them to be among the nation’s best. When asked about facing North Carolina’s standout center Mitch Kupchak, I mentioned Leon Douglas.
Indeed, Alabama’s 1975-76 team excelled, finishing with a remarkable 23-5 record, including a 15-3 conference record. In a matchup against Dean Smith’s Tar Heels in Dayton, Douglas delivered a stellar performance, scoring 35 points and grabbing 17 rebounds, leading Alabama to a decisive 79-64 victory.
However, their journey was cut short when they faced Bobby Knight’s No. 1 Indiana team in Baton Rouge. Despite a valiant effort, the Hoosiers emerged victorious with a 74-69 win en route to an undefeated, national championship season.
Although Coach Newton continued for four more seasons, making three more NIT appearances, he did not return to the NCAA Tournament. Nonetheless, Alabama had established itself as a prominent name in college basketball, even amidst the shadow of Paul Bryant’s legendary football team. When Coach Newton passed the reins to his longtime assistant, Wimp Sanderson, Alabama’s basketball legacy continued to flourish, with nine NCAA Tournament appearances in his 12 years.
