CECIL HURT: Draft deadline brings answers and questions

Now, more than three months after the 2007-08 college basketball season came to an end for the University of Alabama, Crimson Tide head coach Mark Gottfried has had all of his questions answered about his team for 2008-09.

Well, almost.

Gottfried learned on the NBA draft deadline that he would have Ronald Steele on next year’s team. He also learned that he would not have Richard Hendrix.

First, a couple of points about Hendrix’ departure. It’s bound to have an effect on Alabama. Anytime you take a bona fide big body and a sure-fire double-double performer out of a lineup in college basketball, it has to hurt. Furthermore, it’s not as if there wasn’t a solid case to be made for Hendrix’ return.

If nothing else, next year’s draft class doesn’t appear (at least at this point) to be as deep as this year’s. That’s probably one reason why all three North Carolina players (Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green) who found themselves on the cusp of a first-round selection decided to return to UNC for the upcoming season.

In the process, they’ll reunite with Tyler Hansbrough, making the Tar Heels the odds-on favorite for next year’s national championship (not to mention a formidable obstacle if Alabama should draw the Heels in the Maui Classic in November.)

However, even if there are two sides to the Hendrix question, the power forward has made his choice — and Alabama fans should wish him well. He’s been a solid player, a good student and an admirable ambassador for Alabama basketball in his three years with the team.

Even during the last two seasons, when frustration was not an uncommon post-game emotion, I never knew Hendrix to shirk an interview or lash out at his teammates or coaches. His mantra, consistently, was that he needed to work harder, and he seemed to do so. Hopefully, he’ll have the best of luck in his basketball future, wherever it takes him.

His absence will hurt. However, it does not leave the cupboard bare ­— especially not with Ronald Steele and Alonzo Gee returning, to go along with a decent supporting cast.

The question that Gottfried still can’t answer is just what level of Ronald Steele performance he will be getting in 2009.

One thing is certain. Steele is not, at this moment, fully returned to the form he was in at the end of the 2006 season, his sophomore year, when he led Alabama into the NCAA Tournament and very nearly propelled them past eventual national runner-up UCLA in the West Regional.

If Steele had recaptured that magic while sitting out last season, we wouldn’t be having this discussion because he would have been a sure-fire first-round draft choice. If that were the case, he, like Hendrix, would be gone.

But it’s not the case. The question now is, could it be the case again?

Steele has four more months of the off-season to rehabilitate his two surgically repaired knees. His leadership and his basketball savvy will be assets for Alabama in the upcoming season, but it remains to be seen how his quickness, shooting ability and defensive prowess re-emerge.

Assuming for a moment that Steele is the Steele of old, not just a shadow of his former self, it should be an interesting season for Alabama.

I don’t pretend to be a coach, but the roster — with long, lithe big men, speedier than Hendrix, and more than enough athletic ability on the wings (Gee, Senario Hillman, freshman Tony Mitchell) would seem to cry out for an up-tempo game.

That doesn’t mean that JaMychal Green, Demetrius Jemison and Justin Knox shouldn’t get the ball in the post. It does mean that the Tide would seem to have the personnel to press on defense and run on offense, especially if Steele can conduct the orchestra at a fiery tempo.

It’s an intriguing opportunity, especially with the SEC West in a completely unsettled state.

Like Hendrix, Jamont Gordon of Mississippi State chose to stay in the draft on Monday without a first-round guarantee. His loss, coupled with the graduation of Charles Rhodes, will bring last year’s division champion, MSU, back to the pack.

Arkansas loses Sonny Weems and three other starters. LSU loses freshman phenom Anthony Randolph and has a new coach in Trent Johnson. Ole Miss loses its top three inside players.

Auburn returns some talent, but hasn’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 2003. The East Division will be stronger, but the West appears to be available for the taking.

Monday can’t exactly be considered a triumph for Alabama basketball, given Hendrix’ farewell. But it should be considered an opportunity, not a disaster.

Reach Cecil Hurt at cecil.hurt@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0225.