The Alabama Men’s Basketball team kicks off their season with a big win at home against the Southern Jaguars by a score of 82-62 highlighted by Donta Hall and John Petty’s combined 37 points.
Along with an entertaining win, Avery Johnson and the Crimson Tide showed the fans what they should expect for the remainder of the season. Tide fans should have a lot to be excited for after getting a look at what 17-year old Kira Lewis Jr. has to offer, as well as Texas Transfer Tevin Mack.
Neither Lewis nor Mack can match Alabama alum Collin Sexton’s style and finesse; however, they seem to have amazing chemistry with veteran Tide players, and they were not afraid to hold onto the ball themselves to make a play.
Kira Lewis Jr. played a total of 29 minutes in his collegiate debut and put up 6 points, 7 assists, and 2 rebounds. This stat-line may not be the most exciting to Tide basketball fans, but watching him tally up those stats definitely was. He is an extremely young player who will develop into an Alabama Basketball great.
Junior Texas transfer Tevin Mack also proved that he will be a crucial key to this years team. In 27 minutes Mack totaled 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. Again, not a beautiful stat-line, but definitely something Avery Johnson can work with.
The game was lead by Senior F Donta Hall and Sophomore G John Petty. Hall managed a team-high 20 points with Petty right behind him with 17. John Petty remains hot from behind the arc as he shot 63% in the double digit Alabama win.
The team as a whole appears to still have issues shooting from the free-throw line (68% against Southern), and besides Petty the team needs to improve on shooting from the three (38%). These are issues that linger from last year as they shot 67% from the line and just over 30% for three.
Overall this team shows a lot of promise and Alabama Basketball fans have plenty of reasons to come out to watch this team take on opponents from across the country. After not being ranked in the top-25 along with 6 other SEC programs Alabama should play harder than ever to get the recognition the team and the program feels they deserve.
(Photo courtesy of The Crimson White)
