Like most freshmen, Alabama guard John Petty had his ups and downs in his first year in Tuscaloosa.
And while the 6-5 shooting guard had high expectations last year, they’ll be even higher during the 2018-19 season.
Petty will likely be relied upon to provide even more scoring thanks to the departure of Collin Sexton, and for that to happen, an expanded offensive approach will need to be on full display.
Inside the Numbers
Petty averaged 10.2 points per game last season while making 90 shots from beyond the arc on 242 attempts.
His overall percentage was more than fine in finishing at 37.2 percent from 3-point range, and that’ll once again be the strength of his game as a sophomore.
However, Petty wasn’t exactly the type of player on the road as he was in the friendly confines of Coleman Coliseum.
He shot just 18.5 percent from the perimeter in SEC road trips, and for the entire season, had only two road games where he made more than two 3-pointers.
2018-19 Season Outlook
This season will be all about consistency for the Huntsville native.
When he’s at the top of his game, Petty is one of the most lethal shooters in the country. We saw that in games against Alabama A&M (10 of 13 from 3-point range) and Auburn (8 of 13 from 3-point range).
But for Petty to transform himself into an All-SEC caliber player, his offensive game has to expand. If he can become a bigger threat off the dribble, it’ll put a whole lot more pressure on opposing defenders on a night in and night out basis.
Petty has all the potential in the world, and the good news is that he’s still only a sophomore.
He should add more layers to his game this season, which will go a long way towards helping the Crimson Tide earn second-straight NCAA Tournament appearance.