1987–88 Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team

The 1987–88 Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team represented the University of Alabama in the 1987–88 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team's head coach was Wimp Sanderson, who was in his eighth season at Alabama. The team played their home games at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of 14–17, 6–12 in conference, finishing in a tie for eighth place. It was the Tide's first non-winning season since the 1971–72 season.

1987–88 Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Record	14–17 (6–12 SEC)
Head coach	Wimp Sanderson (8th season)
Home arena	Coleman Coliseum

1987–88 Southeastern Conference men's basketball standings

	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		PCT			W		L		PCT
No. 6 Kentucky †	13	–	5		.722			27	–	6		.818
Auburn	11	–	7		.611			19	–	11		.633
Florida	11	–	7		.611			23	–	12		.657
LSU	10	–	8		.556			16	–	14		.533
Vanderbilt	10	–	8		.556			20	–	11		.645
Tennessee	9	–	9		.500			16	–	13		.552
Georgia	8	–	10		.444			20	–	16		.556
Ole Miss	6	–	12		.333			13	–	16		.448
Alabama	6	–	12		.333			14	–	17		.452
Mississippi State	6	–	12		.333			14	–	15		.483
† 1988 SEC tournament winner Rankings from AP Poll

The Tide suffered heavy losses in the 1987 offseason. Forward Derrick McKey declared early for the NBA draft after his junior season. Forward Jim Farmer graduated and was also drafted into the NBA. Also, guards James Jackson, Terry Coner, and Mark Gottfried all graduated. The Tide signed freshman forward Melvin Cheatum and freshman guards Gary Waites and Bryant Lancaster to try and offset the losses. Also, junior college transfer Alvin Lee, who the previous season led the NJCAA in scoring, was also signed.

The Tide lost in the first round of the SEC tournament to Ole Miss. The team failed to make the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1982 and failed to reach any postseason play for the first time since 1978.

Roster

1987–88 Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team
Players	Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight Year Previous school Hometown F 45 Michael Ansley 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) — Jr Jackson-Olin High School Birmingham, Alabama G 12 Melvin Cheatum 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) — Fr G Alvin Lee 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) — Jr G Gary Waites 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) — Fr G 24 Craig Dudley 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) — Sr G Bryant Lancaster 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) — Fr F Keith Askins 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) — So Athens High School Athens, Alabama 52 William DeVaughn 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) — Jr	Head coach Wimp Sanderson Assistant coach(es) Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible (W) Walk-on Injured Current redshirt