Ten games into its season, Alabama enjoyed a short stint as a ranked team, pushed Arizona to the brink and has demonstrated more offensive firepower than it has in years past.
The Crimson Tide has done all this without its leading scorer from last season, Braxton Key. The 6-foot-8 swingman has been sidelined since early November after undergoing surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee.
Key has spent the last six weeks watching the Tide incorporate a collection of talented newcomers, including freshmen John Petty and Collin Sexton. Now, he's set to join them Tuesday in Huntsville, where Alabama is set to play Mercer in the Rocket City Classic.
"When he wakes up on Tuesday and gets through shootaround, if he has no issues whatsoever, then we'll put him out there," Alabama coach Avery Johnson said.
Key is expected to be a stabilizing force for a Crimson Tide team that has been mercurial and lax when guarding its own goal. He's a skilled passer, a capable rebounder and solid defender.
Senior Riley Norris called Key "a really versatile player."
"He brings a lot to the table," Norris added.
For a brief period in the spring, Key flirted with the NBA, entering his name in the draft before ultimately withdrawing it when he realized that his aspirations didn't dovetail with reality.
Instead, the unassuming Key returned to Tuscaloosa as the team's most productive veteran. With a year of experience under Key's belt, Johnson wanted Key to assume a leadership role. Then, the injury happened and Johnson best-laid plans went astray.
"This was our last piece," Alabama freshman John Petty said. "Everything is going to be back together."
That is the hope.
On a team averaging 79.3 points per game, Key will provide even more production. But it's what he does as a facilitator and defender that is expected to enhance the Tide's performance across all 94 feet. He can match up against players at multiple spots and also set up the offense.
"Braxton is an important player for us on both sides of the ball," Norris said. "We're excited to have him back."
Rainer Sabin is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @RainerSabin