For the third time in the last four years, the Alabama Crimson Tide are back in the Sweet 16.
After defeating No. 13 seed Charleston in the round of 64, Alabama picked up yet another impressive victory Sunday night in the round of 32, as they defeated No. 12 seeded Grand Canyon by a final score of 72-61.
A game in which Alabama led for a majority, this would not be the greatest shooting game for the Crimson Tide at a combined 36.9% from the field, as well as 25.8% from three-point range (8-for-31). However, this was also one of Alabama’s best defensive performances of the season holding the Lopes to 32.1% shooting, as well as 2-for-20 from three, and saw yet another strong performance from guard Mark Sears at 26 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
After the win, Alabama will now face undoubtedly their toughest test yet in the NCAA Tournament so far, as the Crimson Tide will face the No. 1 seed North Carolina Tar Heels in the Sweet 16.
The ACC regular season champions, North Carolina (29-7 overall, 17-3 in ACC) has picked up wins over No. 16 seeded Wagner and No. 9 Michigan State so far during the NCAA Tournament. North Carolina is also one of the ACC’s top offensive teams averaging 81.8 PPG for the year, and rank No. 8 nationally in rebounding at 40.9 RPG this season.
Leading the Tar Heels is the senior duo of 2023-24 ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis and Armando Bacot, while North Carolina also has a pair of other 10+ PPG scorers in Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan.
Two teams that met last season, a game in which Alabama won by a final score of 103-101 in four overtimes, this certainly has the potential to be a high-scoring contest between the Crimson Tide and Tar Heels on Thursday.
Can the Crimson Tide potentially advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since the 2003-04 season?
Prediction: North Carolina 79, Alabama 74