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Tide Tipoff on Friday will debut 2016-17 basketball teams

Alabama Head Coach Avery Johnson talks to his players after practice at the practice facility at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Thursday Oct. 15, 2015.
Alabama Head Coach Avery Johnson talks to his players after practice at the practice facility at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Thursday Oct. 15, 2015. (Robert Sutton | The Tuscaloosa News)

The University of Alabama basketball teams, both men's and women's, know that the serious business of basketball is about to begin. On Friday night, the two programs want to show that they are versatile enough to embrace the fun side as well.

The basketball teams will welcome in the new season with the Supe Store Tide Tipoff Event, which will take place at Coleman Coliseum. The event will continue following the basketball portion with performances from special musical guests including Metro Boomin, one of the elite producers in current urban music.

"The idea is to continue to grow from last year, which was very popular," Crimson Tide head coach Avery Johnson said prior to the Crimson Tide's Thursday practice. "We had a light scrimmage last year but (Friday) will be more of a festive night. We'll incorporate the dance team, DJs. There will be a lot of folks in town with the biggest football game of the year. There's going to be more of an NBA-style event with a college feel. The people I have talked to, especially the students, are looking forward to it. I want everyone to be a part of something special."

The event will begin at 6 p.m. CT with a 45-minute autograph session featuring both teams and coaches. Student-athletes will be spread throughout the concourse, while head coaches Johnson and Kristy Curry will be at a table in the south concourse. The teams will then participate in a variety of on-court activities including team introductions, a dance contest, a skills competition, a three-point shootout and a dunk contest with celebrity judges.

Former men's stars Jim Farmer, Gerald Wallace and Mo Williams, women’s alumna Nikki Hegstetter and CBS sideline reporter Allie LaForce will serve as the celebrity dunk competition judges. ESPN College Gameday host Rece Davis will also make a special appearance at the event.

Recruits can also attend the event. Five-star guard Collin Sexton of Pebblebrook, Ga., considered the top prep guard in America by some services, is expected along with all three of UA's current verbal commitments -- Herb Jones, Alex Reese and Galin Smith. Both the men and women are expected to host several top underclassmen as well.

Admission to the event is free for students as well as season ticketholders for men's and women's basketball. Tickets will also be on sale for the general public at a cost of $5 per ticket.

Season ticketholders will receive an e-mail from the Alabama Ticket Office to claim print-at-home tickets online. Each season ticketholder can claim the same number of tickets for Tide Tipoff as they have season tickets. If a season ticketholder would like to purchase additional tickets, that option will be available at checkout for $5 per extra ticket.

UA students, admitted one per student ID, will swipe their Action Card similar to a regular basketball game at the west entrance of Coleman Coliseum on event night beginning at 6 p.m. CT.

Seating at the event will be first-come, first-served with general admission seating. UA students will have the opportunity to stand in a designated area on half of the court throughout both the basketball event and musical performance. Space is limited, and will also be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

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

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