Alabama Crimson Tide
2018-2019 Overall Rank: #56
Conference Rank: #10 SEC
Alabama made their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2012 last season before getting knocked out in the round of 32 by eventual champion Villanova. This year, the loss of NBA lottery pick Collin Sexton could set the Tide back a bit. Sexton and Braxton Key are the only departures though, so there won’t be much turnover as Alabama tries to get back to the Big Dance. The Tide will have three starters and five rotation players back, a healthy Riley Norris, an impact transfer and top-50 prospect Kira Lewis on board this season. Alabama barely snuck in the NCAA Tournament with Sexton last year, so they’ll need improvement across the board if they want to get back in 2019.
2017-18 Record: 20-16, 8-10
2017-18 Postseason: NCAA Tournament
Coach: Avery Johnson
Coach Record: 57-46 at Alabama, 57-46 overall
Key Departed Players:
Collin Sexton, Guard, 19.2 ppg
Braxton Key, Forward, 7.0 ppg
Collin Sexton, Guard, 19.2 ppg
Braxton Key, Forward, 7.0 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Donta Hall, Senior, Forward, 10.6 ppg
John Petty, Sophomore, Guard, 10.2 ppg
Dazon Ingram, Junior, Guard, 9.7 ppg
Riley Norris, Senior, Forward, 4.8 ppg
Avery Johnson Jr., Senior, Guard, 4.3 ppg
Daniel Giddens, Junior, Center, 4.2 ppg
Herb Jones, Sophomore, Guard, 4.2 ppg
Alex Reese, Sophomore, Forward, 4.0 ppg
Galin Smith, Sophomore, Forward, 2.8 ppg
John Petty, Sophomore, Guard, 10.2 ppg
Dazon Ingram, Junior, Guard, 9.7 ppg
Riley Norris, Senior, Forward, 4.8 ppg
Avery Johnson Jr., Senior, Guard, 4.3 ppg
Daniel Giddens, Junior, Center, 4.2 ppg
Herb Jones, Sophomore, Guard, 4.2 ppg
Alex Reese, Sophomore, Forward, 4.0 ppg
Galin Smith, Sophomore, Forward, 2.8 ppg
Key New Players:
Javian Davis-Fleming, Freshman, Forward
Kira Lewis, Freshman, Guard
Tevin Mack, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Texas
Diante Wood, Freshman, Guard
Javian Davis-Fleming, Freshman, Forward
Kira Lewis, Freshman, Guard
Tevin Mack, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Texas
Diante Wood, Freshman, Guard
Projection:
With Collin Sexton gone, John Petty or Dazon Ingram are the frontrunners to become Alabama’s leading scorer this year. Petty averaged 10.2 points as a freshman and most of his production came from behind the arc, where he shot 37.2%. Ingram is more of an all-around player, averaging 9.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists. Petty and Ingram should see many more field goal attempts this year without Sexton running the team. Donta Hall is the leading returning scorer, though his role shouldn’t change much. Hall averaged 10.6 points, mostly off buckets right around the rim, and 6.6 rebounds last year. A healthy Riley Norris will be a welcome sight for the Tide. Norris only played in nine games last year and got a fifth year of eligibility to return this season. Norris averaged 9.0 points two years ago and will provide senior leadership for Alabama. Avery Johnson Jr., Daniel Giddens, Herb Jones and Alex Reese are all back after each averaged between 4.3 and 4.0 points last season. All four players will have an impact this season, and Jones and Giddens especially could take big steps forward in 2018-19. Alabama also adds Tevin Mack, a transfer from Texas. Mack averaged 14.8 points in 15 games for the Longhorns two seasons ago and could provide a big offensive lift for a team that struggled on that end of the floor last season. Alabama brings in three freshmen as well, including top-50 prospect Kira Lewis. Alabama will have a tough time replacing what Collin Sexton gave them last season, but there is no lack of talent on this roster to prevent the Tide from returning to the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NIT
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 72.3 (215th in nation, 12th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 70.6 (130, 9)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.1 (101, 5)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.6 (51, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.4 (292, 12)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 32.6 (301, 11)
Free-Throw Percentage: 67.0 (310, 13)
Rebound Margin: 0.3 (187, 9)
Assists Per Game: 12.7 (243, 12)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.3 (298, 14)
Madness 2019 NBA Draft Rankings:
#33 Herbert Jones
