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Alabama basketball guard eager to hug, reunite with Avery Johnson at NCAA Tournament

Erik Hall
The Tuscaloosa News

The NCAA announced Sunday night that former Alabama men's basketball coach Avery Johnson is going to be one of the broadcaster for the Alabama basketball team's first-round game in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. 

Johnson was the Alabama head coach from 2015-19. 

Tyler Barnes and Britton Johnson are the only players on the current Alabama roster that played for Avery Johnson at Alabama.

Britton Johnson, a 6-foot-4 guard, spoke Sunday of his anticipation for seeing Avery Johnson again at this year's NCAA Tournament during "The Mean Streets Podcast." 

Jan 26, 2019; Waco, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Avery Johnson looks on from the sidelines during the first half against the Baylor Bears at Ferrell Center. Alabama reserves Tyler Barnes and Britton Johnson are sitting on the far right.

"It will be great to see coach Avery," Britton Johnson said. "I haven't seen him in forever, so gonna give him a hug. At the time, I was a freshman (playing for Avery Johnson). Now, I'm a senior kind of on the way out. Kind of funny to have — it's full circle." 

Alabama is scheduled to face the winner of Rutgers and Notre Dame in the NCAA Tournament first round at 3:15 p.m. CT on Friday in San Diego. Avery Johnson will broadcast the game with fellow analyst Steve Smith, play-by-play voice Lisa Byington, and reporter Lauren Shehadi. 

During his freshman season, Britton Johnson played in five games for Alabama and head coach Avery Johnson. This year as a senior, Britton Johnson has played in six games for Alabama entering the NCAA Tournament.

Alabama heads into the tournament at 19-13 overall. Most recently, Vanderbilt beat Alabama 82-76 on March 10 in the SEC Tournament second round.

Nate Oats is the current Alabama men’s basketball head coach. This is his third season as the Alabama head coach. He previously took Alabama to the NCAA Tournament during the 2020-21 season. 

Alabama's 2020-21 season ended with an 88-78 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 loss to No. 11-seeded UCLA. 

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The Alabama men’s basketball program made its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament during the 1974-75 season. Alabama has never reached the Final Four. The furthest Alabama has advanced in the NCAA Tournament is to the Elite Eight in 2003-04. 

Erik Hall is the lead digital producer for sports with the USA Today Network. You can find him on Twitter @HallErik.