Alabama Athletics
What They're Saying About Alabama Basketball
MOUNTAIN BROOK, Ala. – Did Auburn senior forward Anfernee McLemore start a mini-storm?
Maybe so. While at SEC Basketball Media Days, McLemore was asked his favorite road venue to play in.
“At Alabama in Tuscaloosa,” McLemore said. “I like the look of disappointment on their faces when we win."
When told about the quote, Oats said, “I wasn’t here. I haven’t seen any disappointment (after Auburn games). We’ll see if [McLemore] sees any disappointment here this year.
“How many times has McLemore played here? What’s his record here?” (Those answers are three and 2-1).
Added Alabama junior guard John Petty Jr.: “We’ll see. That’s what I say.”
The consensus in Mountain Brook was that Alabama has a talented returning back court in Petty and sophomore point guard Kira Lewis Jr..
Tennessee senior guard Lamonte’ Turner has a special relationship with fellow north Alabamians Lewis and Petty
“I’m definitely proud of them,” Turner said. “We’ve got a lot of talent in the Huntsville/Florence area, the ‘256’ that gets overlooked. Those guys getting recognition; that means a lot.
“They’re both great players. They’re young. They’re still growing a lot. I still talk to them a lot, just giving them tips and stuff with me being an older guy they watched in high school. They’re still growing. They’re getting taller. Every time I see them it looks like they’ve grown a couple of inches. They’re making strides and I’m proud of them.”
Turner’s teammate Tennessee senior guard Jordan Bowden remembers Petty well, as does Volunteers coach Rick Barnes. That’s because Petty dropped 30 on the UT in a road loss.
“They’re good guys,” Bowden said of Bama’s guards. “John Petty is a great shooter. He had like 30 points against us last year at home. Kira Lewis, he’s young, but he’s going to be a good player”
Barnes added, “[Lewis and Petty] are good players. We saw Petty play probably the best game of his college career. I do think when you’ve got experience in your backcourt coming back it’s big. Guard play – and you all know this – that’s where it starts.
“You would expect them to come back better than a year ago. They’ve got new players as well so there’s no reason to think they’re not going to be a good team.”
Kentucky coach John Calipari recruited Petty and Lewis and has coached against both.
“[Petty] was such a long, lanky bouncy score,” Calipari remembered. “He’s a really good player.
“[Lewis] re-classified so he was a young freshman. He killed us. He was a reason they beat us down there last year. He made some shots, some deep shots, that hurt us. He’s a great kid with a great family that can really play.”
“They’re very powerful,” said Arkansas sophomore guard Isaiah Joe. “Petty and Lewis; they can both attack the rim and they can both knock down jump shots. You’ve got to play them square-up, probably.”
Added Razorbacks sophomore guard Desi Sills: “They’ve got a good backcourt (at Alabama). We’re looking forward to playing against them this year and trying to stop what they’ve got.”
Arkansas coach Eric Musselman has some familiarity with Alabama’s new and faster style of play. “I coached against Nate Oats when he was at Buffalo,” Musselman said of his time at Nevada. “[Oats] is an excellent coach. He’s got great energy.
“Obviously they’re a very talented team. For a first=year coach he’s taking over a very talented roster. When you have a new coach and a new staff, there’s going to be changes to the style of play. I’m sure [Oats] will do great.”
After facing Lewis last year then playing with him on the U.S. National Under 19 squad, Mississippi State sophomore forward Reggie Perry said, “He’s a really good point guard. He has a good basketball IQ.”
Alabama holds a closed scrimmage Sunday against Jacksonville State before taking on Georgia Tech in a home exhibition game on Oct. 27.
