Busting Brackets
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Alabama Basketball: 5 items on the holiday wishlist for the Crimson Tide

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 17: Head coach Avery Johnson of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts against the Villanova Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 17, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 17: Head coach Avery Johnson of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts against the Villanova Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 17, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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ST LOUIS, MO – MARCH 09: John Petty
ST LOUIS, MO – MARCH 09: John Petty

3. Alabama needs scoring threats

Last season, Sexton averaged 19.2 points a game. However, there was no one else scoring more than 10.6 points a game. With him gone, many expected players like John Petty and Herb Jones to expand their games to fill the role. Despite this expectation, their second scorer is averaging only 10.9 points a game.

Lewis is getting a respectable 15.4 points a game but that’s not enough to withstand the onslaught of the firepower other SEC offenses have. Either Lewis needs to step up his offensive abilities, or Petty and Jones need to expand their games.

The problem with Petty is the fact that he remains unable to be a star on the road. He fails to keep the momentum he gains in Coleman Coliseum. He shoots less, and his shots fall less. He has to find a way to play well in tough environments.

Another possibility for a scoring threat is Donta Hall. Hall dominates the paint and the boards in games, but there are few specific plays that go through the post. In fact, there are few specific plays that get many quality looks. Most of Alabama’s offense lives on mismatches as opposed to scheming to get easy shots.

Despite the woes, someone has to step up to be a bonafide scoring threat. Having depth that can score evenly is great, but I don’t know who Alabama would give the ball to if they only had one shot to win a game.