Alabama vs. UNC in Sweet 16 could be highest-scoring March Madness game

Two electric teams that can put up points? Sign us up! See why some experts believe Alabama and North Carolina could combine for a March Madness game to remember.

In a Sweet 16 matchup that many expect to be electric, No. 4 seed Alabama takes on No. 1 seed North Carolina. March Madness games are always very unpredictable, though some will still try to come up with some bold projections.

One prediction that is making the rounds now has to do with the scoring ability of both teams. Could it be possible that this game sets a new all-time March Madness record for the most points scored in a single game? Let’s break it all down.

USA TODAY college basketball experts Paul Myerberg, Erick Smith and Eddie Timanus go as far as saying this contest “will require a second official scorer,” because of how many points there could be.

“OK, this may be a bit of exaggeration. But given the pace that the Crimson Tide love to play at and the ability of the Tar Heels to thrive in an open-court environment, we could be looking at one of the highest-scoring games of the tournament Thursday. Alabama has scored at least 90 points in eight games since the start of February. It has allowed at least 88 nine times in the same span. Don’t expect Alabama coach Nate Oats to go conservative now that the stakes of the tournament have gotten higher. Just sit back and watch the wildness unfold.”

The highest-scoring game in March Madness history was a 1990 round of 32 upset when No. 11 seed Loyola Marymount defeated No. 3 seed Michigan with a final score of 149-115, for a combined total of 264 points. It has the lead by a comfortable margin, with the second-highest-scoring game only having a total of 234 points.

Alabama’s first-round win over Charleston had enough total points to make it the thirteenth-highest-scoring game in March Madness history with a total of over 205.

Let’s face it, the Crimson Tide’s biggest weakness all season has been a lack of defense. In the team’s first two games, Alabama has played spectacular defense, but will that last? If not, it opens the door for the Tar Heels to put up some serious points.

This Sweet 16 contest features the No. 1 scoring offense in the nation (Alabama) and the No. 20 scoring offense (UNC), while also featuring two defenses that aren’t necessarily the strongest.

North Carolina has allowed an average of 70 points per game, which has the Tar Heels ranked No. 70 in the nation. Compared to the Crimson Tide’s rank of No. 345, North Carolina might as well be a brick wall in front of the hoop. Alabama has allowed a whopping 80.9 points per game this season.

Is it likely that a new record is set? Far from it. However, there’s a great chance we see the highest-scoring game of this year’s tournament and possibly have a new entry in the top 10 highest-scoring March Madness games of all time.

Neither team will have this in mind. All that matters is scoring more points than the other team, staying alive, and moving on to the Elite Eight.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

How to buy Sweet 16 and Elite 8 tickets in Los Angeles for 2024 NCAA Tournament West Regional

Want to watch March Madness and the Sweet 16/Elite 8 live in Los Angeles this weekend? Tickets are still available for as little as $113.

Only 16 teams remain in the 2024 NCAA Men’s Tournament, and four of them will be playing in Los Angeles this weekend.

This year, March Madness returns to L.A. as the Crypto.com Arena is set to host a weekend of Sweet 16 and Elite matchups that will eventually send one team onto Phoenix and the Final Four.

SHOP: L.A. Regional Sweet 16 tickets

Tickets to Los Angeles’ Sweet 16 action give access to both games and as of publication are still available for as little as $113.

No. 2 Arizona kicks off the Sweet 16 on Thursday when they take on No. 6 Clemson at 7:09 p.m. EDT.

That game will be immediately followed by No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 4 Alabama.

SHOP: UNC vs. Alabama and Arizona vs. Clemson tickets

If you want to catch all the action, weekend passes are still available for as little as $185.

The weekend passes include access to both of Thursday’s Sweet 16 games and Saturday’s Elite Eight showdown between the winners of Thursday night’s games.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop NCAA Tournament L.A. weekend passes” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/YLv5XQ2″]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop NCAA Tournament L.A. Sweet 16 tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/Rlye14d”]

How to buy Sweet 16 and Elite 8 tickets in Los Angeles for 2024 NCAA Tournament West Regional

Want to watch March Madness and the Sweet 16/Elite 8 live in Los Angeles this weekend? Tickets are still available for as little as $113.

Only 16 teams remain in the 2024 NCAA Men’s Tournament, and four of them will be playing in Los Angeles this weekend.

This year, March Madness returns to L.A. as the Crypto.com Arena is set to host a weekend of Sweet 16 and Elite matchups that will eventually send one team onto Phoenix and the Final Four.

SHOP: L.A. Regional Sweet 16 tickets

Tickets to Los Angeles’ Sweet 16 action give access to both games and as of publication are still available for as little as $113.

No. 2 Arizona kicks off the Sweet 16 on Thursday when they take on No. 6 Clemson at 7:09 p.m. EDT.

That game will be immediately followed by No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 4 Alabama.

SHOP: UNC vs. Alabama and Arizona vs. Clemson tickets

If you want to catch all the action, weekend passes are still available for as little as $185.

The weekend passes include access to both of Thursday’s Sweet 16 games and Saturday’s Elite Eight showdown between the winners of Thursday night’s games.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop NCAA Tournament L.A. weekend passes” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/YLv5XQ2″]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop NCAA Tournament L.A. Sweet 16 tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/Rlye14d”]

How to buy Sweet 16 and Elite 8 tickets in Los Angeles for 2024 NCAA Tournament West Regional

Want to watch March Madness and the Sweet 16/Elite 8 live in Los Angeles this weekend? Tickets are still available for as little as $113.

Only 16 teams remain in the 2024 NCAA Men’s Tournament, and four of them will be playing in Los Angeles this weekend.

This year, March Madness returns to L.A. as the Crypto.com Arena is set to host a weekend of Sweet 16 and Elite matchups that will eventually send one team onto Phoenix and the Final Four.

SHOP: L.A. Regional Sweet 16 tickets

Tickets to Los Angeles’ Sweet 16 action give access to both games and as of publication are still available for as little as $113.

No. 2 Arizona kicks off the Sweet 16 on Thursday when they take on No. 6 Clemson at 7:09 p.m. EDT.

That game will be immediately followed by No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 4 Alabama.

SHOP: UNC vs. Alabama and Arizona vs. Clemson tickets

If you want to catch all the action, weekend passes are still available for as little as $185.

The weekend passes include access to both of Thursday’s Sweet 16 games and Saturday’s Elite Eight showdown between the winners of Thursday night’s games.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop NCAA Tournament L.A. weekend passes” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/YLv5XQ2″]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop NCAA Tournament L.A. Sweet 16 tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/Rlye14d”]

How to buy Sweet 16 and Elite 8 tickets in Los Angeles for 2024 NCAA Tournament West Regional

Want to watch March Madness and the Sweet 16/Elite 8 live in Los Angeles this weekend? Tickets are still available for as little as $113.

Only 16 teams remain in the 2024 NCAA Men’s Tournament, and four of them will be playing in Los Angeles this weekend.

This year, March Madness returns to L.A. as the Crypto.com Arena is set to host a weekend of Sweet 16 and Elite matchups that will eventually send one team onto Phoenix and the Final Four.

SHOP: L.A. Regional Sweet 16 tickets

Tickets to Los Angeles’ Sweet 16 action give access to both games and as of publication are still available for as little as $113.

No. 2 Arizona kicks off the Sweet 16 on Thursday when they take on No. 6 Clemson at 7:09 p.m. EDT.

That game will be immediately followed by No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 4 Alabama.

SHOP: UNC vs. Alabama and Arizona vs. Clemson tickets

If you want to catch all the action, weekend passes are still available for as little as $185.

The weekend passes include access to both of Thursday’s Sweet 16 games and Saturday’s Elite Eight showdown between the winners of Thursday night’s games.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop NCAA Tournament L.A. weekend passes” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/YLv5XQ2″]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop NCAA Tournament L.A. Sweet 16 tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/Rlye14d”]

How to buy Sweet 16 and Elite 8 tickets in Los Angeles for 2024 NCAA Tournament West Regional

Want to watch March Madness and the Sweet 16/Elite 8 live in Los Angeles this weekend? Tickets are still available for as little as $113.

Only 16 teams remain in the 2024 NCAA Men’s Tournament, and four of them will be playing in Los Angeles this weekend.

This year, March Madness returns to L.A. as the Crypto.com Arena is set to host a weekend of Sweet 16 and Elite matchups that will eventually send one team onto Phoenix and the Final Four.

SHOP: L.A. Regional Sweet 16 tickets

Tickets to Los Angeles’ Sweet 16 action give access to both games and as of publication are still available for as little as $113.

No. 2 Arizona kicks off the Sweet 16 on Thursday when they take on No. 6 Clemson at 7:09 p.m. EDT.

That game will be immediately followed by No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 4 Alabama.

SHOP: UNC vs. Alabama and Arizona vs. Clemson tickets

If you want to catch all the action, weekend passes are still available for as little as $185.

The weekend passes include access to both of Thursday’s Sweet 16 games and Saturday’s Elite Eight showdown between the winners of Thursday night’s games.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop NCAA Tournament L.A. weekend passes” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/YLv5XQ2″]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop NCAA Tournament L.A. Sweet 16 tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/Rlye14d”]

March Madness experts predict outcome of Alabama vs. North Carolina in Sweet 16

Alabama takes on No. 1 seed North Carolina in the Sweet 16 of March Madness. See which team experts pick to move on to the Elite Eight.

Alabama, the No. 4 seed in the West Region, takes on North Carolina, the top-seeded team in the West Region, in a highly-anticipated Sweet 16 matchup. The lives of each team’s March Madness run and a trip to the Elite Eight is on the line. It’s expected that the Tar Heels will enter the contest as the favorite.

This is the third time in four years that head coach Nate Oats has led the Crimson Tide to the Sweet 16. The circumstances surrounding the team from Tuscaloosa made it seem like making it this far in the tournament was a long shot. High roster turnover and a practically brand new assistant coaching staff did not hinder Alabama in its quest to make a deep March Madness run.

As for North Carolina, the program has high expectations every single year and views the Crimson Tide as nothing more than an obstacle on its way to the Final Four. It will have to come out firing on offense if it wants to compete with the nation’s highest-scoring team.

Recently, ESPN college basketball experts predicted the outcome for each Sweet 16 matchup (subscription required). The panel of three, consisting of John Gasaway, Jeff Borzello, and Myron Medcalf, was split on the Tide vs. Tar Heels.

Gasaway has North Carolina winning with a final score of 90-84, stating, “For all the quite understandable attention paid to Alabama’s 3s, where the Tide really thrived in the SEC this season was inside the arc. Bama connected on a stellar 57% of its 2s, and I just don’t see that happening against Armando Bacot and this excellent UNC defense.”

Medcalf agrees with Gasaway that the Crimson Tide’s season comes to an end in this game, but believes it’s a bit closer, predicting the final score to be 87-83. He argued, “North Carolina, I think, has proved it can play with any team in the field. Really strong defensively. The Heels have an All-American running the show. They have an elite big man. And now Harrison Ingram is hitting 3-pointers again. They can hurt you everywhere. That will demand a defensive level from Alabama that Nate Oats’ squad doesn’t have.”

However, Borzello goes against the grain by selecting Alabama to pull off the win. In a one-possession game, Borzello has the Tide winning 88-86.

“I’m going with the upset here. There are certainly concerns from Alabama’s perspective: Can the Tide keep Armando Bacot off the glass? Can they keep the Heels out of transition and consistently get stops? Alabama hasn’t been the free-flowing offense that buries teams in a barrage of 3-pointers all that often the past few weeks. But if Carolina lets the Tide run, it could be a breakout game.”

The panel is split 2-1, but favors North Carolina. Despite this, Alabama fans should pay close attention to their analysis beyond the projected winner. All three experts have the winner walking away victorious by fewer than 10 points. It is expected to be a close one.

Also worth noting is the fact that all three experts predict both teams to score over 80 points. In a high-scoring affair, it could go either way. However, if the Tide can get shots to fall early and play the high-quality defense the team exhibited against Grand Canyon, it could be Alabama’s game to lose.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to cover Alabama basketball as the team prepares for its Sweet 16 matchup against the North Carolina Tar Heels which will be held in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 28 at 9:39 p.m. ET.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

How to buy UNC vs. Alabama NCAA Tournament March Madness Sweet 16 tickets

Want to watch North Carolina vs. Alabama in person? Tickets are still available for this Sweet 16 matchup in Los Angeles, CA.

Take a breath, Tar Heels and Crimson Tide fans, your teams are moving onto the Sweet 16!

No. 1 North Carolina rolled past No. 9 Michigan State behind a balanced effort and a team-high 20 points from senior RJ Davis.

No. 4 Alabama survived an upset bid from No. 12 Grand Canyon and pulled away late to advance to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

Both teams advance to the Sweet 16 in the West Region, and will matchup in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 28.

UNC vs. Alabama tickets are still available to the Sweet 16 matchup for as little as $178

Tickets include access to both Sweet 16 games, the other game will feature No. 2 Arizona vs. No. 6 Clemson.

Weekend passes are also still available, and include both Sweet 16 games and the subsequent Elite 8 game in Los Angeles.

At the time of publication Los Angeles Regional weekend passes are still available for as little as $300.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop UNC vs. Alabama Sweet 16 tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/1eXaLaE”]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop LA Regional weekend pass” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/Plyeneb”]

How to buy UNC vs. Alabama NCAA Tournament March Madness Sweet 16 tickets

Want to watch North Carolina vs. Alabama in person? Tickets are still available for this Sweet 16 matchup in Los Angeles, CA.

Take a breath, Tar Heels and Crimson Tide fans, your teams are moving onto the Sweet 16!

No. 1 North Carolina rolled past No. 9 Michigan State behind a balanced effort and a team-high 20 points from senior RJ Davis.

No. 4 Alabama survived an upset bid from No. 12 Grand Canyon and pulled away late to advance to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

Both teams advance to the Sweet 16 in the West Region, and will matchup in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 28.

UNC vs. Alabama tickets are still available to the Sweet 16 matchup for as little as $178

Tickets include access to both Sweet 16 games, the other game will feature No. 2 Arizona vs. No. 6 Clemson.

Weekend passes are also still available, and include both Sweet 16 games and the subsequent Elite 8 game in Los Angeles.

At the time of publication Los Angeles Regional weekend passes are still available for as little as $300.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop UNC vs. Alabama Sweet 16 tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/1eXaLaE”]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop LA Regional weekend pass” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/Plyeneb”]

How to buy UNC vs. Alabama NCAA Tournament March Madness Sweet 16 tickets

Want to watch North Carolina vs. Alabama in person? Tickets are still available for this Sweet 16 matchup in Los Angeles, CA.

Take a breath, Tar Heels and Crimson Tide fans, your teams are moving onto the Sweet 16!

No. 1 North Carolina rolled past No. 9 Michigan State behind a balanced effort and a team-high 20 points from senior RJ Davis.

No. 4 Alabama survived an upset bid from No. 12 Grand Canyon and pulled away late to advance to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

Both teams advance to the Sweet 16 in the West Region, and will matchup in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 28.

UNC vs. Alabama tickets are still available to the Sweet 16 matchup for as little as $178

Tickets include access to both Sweet 16 games, the other game will feature No. 2 Arizona vs. No. 6 Clemson.

Weekend passes are also still available, and include both Sweet 16 games and the subsequent Elite 8 game in Los Angeles.

At the time of publication Los Angeles Regional weekend passes are still available for as little as $300.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop UNC vs. Alabama Sweet 16 tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/1eXaLaE”]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop LA Regional weekend pass” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/Plyeneb”]