Friday, November 13
8:30 p.m. – Kennesaw State vs. Alabama
Alabama Links: Live Stats | Video | Game Notes
Social Media: Twitter | Facebook
 
SCOUTING ALABAMA                                                                        
The Alabama Crimson Tide have an established first year coach, similar to the Owls, in Avery Johnson. Johnson coached seven-plus seasons in the NBA, compiling a 254-186 record. Of the 12 players eligible to compete for the Crimson Tide this season, seven are either freshman or sophomores. Of the six letterwinners returning, three were starters from a season ago. Senior guard Retin Obasohan (6.2 ppg/12.0 rpg over final 12 games last year) and junior forward Shannon Hale (8.2 ppg) are the leading returning scorers.
 
The Crimson Tide were picked to finish 13th in the SEC Preseason Media poll. Alabama not only lost two key starters from a year ago in Levi Randolph and Rodney Hood.
 
A year ago, Alabama finished with a 19-15 record and made it to the second round of the NIT before losing to Miami. From that team, the Crimson Tide lost Randolph who led the team with 15.4 points per game, assists and in steals.
 
THE ALL-TIME SERIES VERSUS ALABAMA                                                                                                  
This will be the first time that Kennesaw State will play Alabama.
 
Coach Skinner Introduced
Kennesaw State named Al Skinner the sixth men's basketball coach in school history on April 26, 2015. Skinner has a career record of 385-291 in 22 years and has taken his team's to either the NCAA tournament (9 times) or NIT (3 times) a total of 12 times.
 
Returning Players 
The Owls return six players from a year ago including two starters in Yonel Brown and Nigel Pruitt. Brown and Pruitt were the top scorers for KSU last season averaging 15.2 points per game and 12.2 points per game.
 
Between Brown and Pruitt, they combined to make 133 three pointers last season. Pruitt led the team with 70 and Brown was right behind him with 63. Brown set a division I record last season by making seven in a game against Jacksonville. He broke the record that had previously been set by Pruitt, who had made six earlier in the season.
 
Newcomers
Even though the new coaching staff got off to a late start in recruiting, they landed five players that are expected to make an impact on the court this season. The four freshman are Kyle Clarke, Josh Burnett, Kosta Jankovic and Tracy Hector, who started in the exhibition game against Middle Georgia State. The transfer, who has two years of eligibility left, is Aubrey Williams. He transferred from Toledo and will provide depth in the post.
 
Preseason All-Conference
Yonel Brown was voted to the Atlantic Sun Preseason All-Conference team. Last season, Brown was third in the A-Sun averaging 15.2 points per game. He also led the conference in free throw percentage at 90 percent going 135 for 150 from the charity stripe. As a team, KSU was picked to finish in a tie for seventh with Stetson.
 
Double-Digit Wins
With the new coaching staff and five new faces, the team will look to build off of its 10 wins season last year. It was the most wins by an Owls men's basketball team since the 2009-10 team had 13.
 
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State men's basketball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsMBB or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
 
Season tickets are currently available for all the home court action for the Owls and can be purchased by following the link here.