1987–88 Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team

The 1987–88 Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team represented the University of Alabama in the 1987–88 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team's head coach was Wimp Sanderson, who was in his eighth season at Alabama. The team played their home games at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of 14–17, 6–12 in conference, finishing in a tie for eighth place. It was the Tide's first non-winning season since the 1971–72 season.

1987–88 Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
Record14–17 (6–12 SEC)
Head coach
Home arenaColeman Coliseum
Seasons
1987–88 Southeastern Conference men's basketball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
No. 6 Kentucky 13 5   .722 27 6   .818
Auburn 11 7   .611 19 11   .633
Florida 11 7   .611 23 12   .657
LSU 10 8   .556 16 14   .533
Vanderbilt 10 8   .556 20 11   .645
Tennessee 9 9   .500 16 13   .552
Georgia 8 10   .444 20 16   .556
Ole Miss 6 12   .333 13 16   .448
Alabama 6 12   .333 14 17   .452
Mississippi State 6 12   .333 14 15   .483
1988 SEC tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll

The Tide suffered heavy losses in the 1987 offseason. Forward Derrick McKey declared early for the NBA draft after his junior season. Forward Jim Farmer graduated and was also drafted into the NBA. Also, guards James Jackson, Terry Coner, and Mark Gottfried all graduated. The Tide signed freshman forward Melvin Cheatum and freshman guards Gary Waites and Bryant Lancaster to try and offset the losses. Also, junior college transfer Alvin Lee, who the previous season led the NJCAA in scoring, was also signed.

The Tide lost in the first round of the SEC tournament to Ole Miss. The team failed to make the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1982 and failed to reach any postseason play for the first time since 1978.[1]

Roster

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1987–88 Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight Year Previous school Hometown
F 45 Michael Ansley 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Jr Jackson-Olin High School Birmingham, Alabama
G 12 Melvin Cheatum 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Fr
G Alvin Lee 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Jr
G Gary Waites 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Fr
G 24 Craig Dudley 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Sr
G Bryant Lancaster 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Fr
F Keith Askins 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
So Athens High School Athens, Alabama
52 William DeVaughn 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Jr
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

References

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  1. ^ "1987-88 Alabama Crimson Tide Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.