Mercer @ Alabama preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 22, 2012 ) Mercer 66, Alabama 59

Alabama could receive a big boost with the return of Braxton Key for Tuesday's non-conference game with visiting Mercer in the Rocket City Classic in Huntsville, Ala. Key, the leading scorer last season for the Crimson Tide, is expected to make his season debut against the Bears after missing the first 10 games while recovering from knee surgery.

"He's trending in that direction," coach Avery Johnson told the media of Key, who averaged 12 points and 5.7 rebounds as a freshman. "He looks good. He should be ready to go." In Key's absence, freshman Collin Sexton has exploded onto the scene to lead the SEC in scoring at 21.8 points per game while three others have averaged double figures for the Crimson Tide, who have alternated wins and losses over the last five games after opening the season with five victories. Ria'n Holland, one of the top scorers in the Southern Conference, returned from a three-game absence because of an ankle injury to score a combined 57 points as the Bears defeated Florida A&M and lost to La Salle. Mercer coach Bob Hoffman has led the Bears to victory in two of his three meetings with the Crimson Tide, including a 66-59 triumph in December 2012.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, SEC Network

ABOUT MERCER (6-5): After not scoring with any type of consistency over the season's first eight games, Stephon Jelks has hit his stride during the past three contests for the Bears. On the strength of a season-high 22 points against La Salle, the senior forward has averaged 17 points while going 9-of-13 from beyond the arc over that span. Jordan Strawberry, who has shot 25 percent of worse in six games this season, saw his string of four straight games in double figures, which included going 12-of-26 from the 3-point line, snapped in the loss to La Salle.

ABOUT ALABAMA (7-3): While the return of Key will certainly improve the Crimson Tide's frontcourt, Donta Hall has been holding down the fort quite well this season. The 6-9 junior ranks fifth in the country in shooting at 75 percent while leading the Crimson Tide in dunks (24), rebounds (eight per game) and blocked shots (2.6). The insertion of Key, a 6-8 forward, into the starting lineup will likely send Riley Norris to the bench as the senior has been starting as part of Alabama's four-guard lineup and has contributed 5.4 points and 2.7 rebounds.

TIP-INS

1. Holland, who is shooting 61.1 percent on 3-pointers and 92.9 percent from the foul line this season, scored a career-high 33 points against La Salle.

2. Sexton and Dazon Ingram have combined to make 31-of-37 from the foul line in the final four minutes of games for the Crimson Tide, which shoots 65.3 percent overall.

3. John Petty, a two-time winner of Alabama's Mr. Basketball who made a school-record 10 3-pointers in a game earlier this season for the Crimson Tide, is a Huntsville native.

PREDICTION: Alabama 81, Mercer 71