SFA Adds to 2018-19 Non-Conference Schedule with Marquee Home Tilt Against Alabama
7/25/2018 8:37:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Crimson Tide will be first SEC men's basketball program to visit Nacogdoches in program history
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NACOGDOCHES, Texas - For the first time in the 94-year history of SFA men's basketball, an SEC opponent is headed to the Piney Woods.
In an announcement made Wednesday morning, the 'Jacks added another piece to their 2018-19 non-conference schedule by revealing that they will take on SEC adversary Alabama inside William R. Johnson Coliseum on Sunday, Dec. 30. An exact time for the tilt has not yet been set.
"What a historic day for SFA and Lumberjack basketball," stated SFA Director of Athletics Ryan Ivey. "This game speaks to the success that our men's basketball team has had and the national respect that it has garnered. We are looking forward to 'Jack nation being in full force to create a great home environment for our guys."
Under the direction of fourth-year head head coach Avery Johnson, Alabama becomes the first power five men's basketball team to play the 'Jacks in Nacogdoches since Texas Tech set foot inside William R. Johnson Coliseum on November 24, 2009. The Crimson Tide is the second current member of the SEC to visit Nacogdoches for a men's basketball contest with Texas A&M being the first, most recently in 1998. At that time, however, the Aggies were still aligned with the Big 12
"I'm so grateful and appreciative to coach [Avery] Johnson for bringing his talented and well-coached program to Nacogdoches," commented third-year head men's basketball coach Kyle Keller. "Getting the opportunity to coach his son, Avery, Jr., while he was at Texas A&M and spend time learning from his father is a memorable personal experience for me."
Heading into the 2018-19 campaign, the 'Jacks retain the services of eight letterwinners who combined to produce a shade over 68-percent of the squad's scoring load in 2017-18. Among those letterwinners are reigning Southland Conference Tournament MVP TJ Holyfield, 2017-18 All-Southland Conference Second Team choices Shannon Bogues and Kevon Harris as well as 2017-18 Southland Conference All-Defensive Team member Aaron Augustin.
Both the 'Jacks and Crimson Tide punched a ticket to the NCAA Tournament in 2017-18 with SFA falling to Texas Tech in the opening round and Alabama dropping a second-round tilt against eventual national champion Villanova after dispatching Virginia Tech in the first round.
"When Alabama appears in the Coliseum this December, they'll have a team that graduated just one senior off of a second-round NCAA Tournament team," continued Keller. "I am not quite sure if and when the Coliseum has seen the likes of a team that is as athletic or deep as this current Alabama ball club, but I am sure we are looking forward to this opportunity and others this season."
In addition to being available in all season ticket packages for the 'Jacks' 2018-19 campaign, SFA's game against the Crimson Tide will also be part of a three-game ticket package which will go on sale October 1. Season tickets for SFA's 2018-19 campaign start at $100 and are on sale at SFATickets.com. For all the latest news regarding SFA athletics and SFA men's basketball, make sure to follow the 'Jacks on Twitter and Instagram (@SFA_Athletics and @SFA_MBB) and on Facebook (SFA Athletics and SFA Men's Basketball).
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