Alabama has made its way to a second consecutive Sweet 16 despite the 2023-2024 season being a difficult one with Nate Oats having to rebuild the roster and coaching staff. Now, the Tide must face the top seed in the West Region, UNC, to advance to the Elite Eight.
With only 16 teams remaining, one college basketball expert, ESPN’s Myron Medcalf, decided to reseed the field (subscription required). While many teams, like the Crimson Tide, were already originally ranked as a top-four seed, others, like NC State and Clemson, entered the tournament seeded a bit lower.
As for Alabama, Medcalf keeps the Tide as a four-seed.
“Through two NCAA tournament games, Alabama has demonstrated two ways it can win. Against Charleston, the Crimson Tide registered 131 points per 100 possessions — slightly below the 132 points per 100 possessions UConn accrued in a 91-52 win over Stetson in the first round — and scored 90 or more points for the 17th time this season. They were the team that dominated opponents all season with scoring barrages.”
Medcalf goes on to explain that the team’s performance against Grand Canyon was rather uncharacteristic of the high-scoring squad, but that eating the win by different means may be a boost that can propel the Tide to the Elite Eight.
As for Alabama’s Sweet 16 opponent, The Tar Heels, Medcalf keeps them as a No. 1 seed.
Nate Oats and his team must find a groove early to upset North Carolina, a team that’s fully capable of keeping up offensive with Alabama. A poor shooting performance from the Tide against the Tar Heels could spell trouble fast for the Tide, as it would have to put up another impressive defensive display, which has not been the case all season long, in order to remain competitive.
Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama basketball as the team looks to keep its March Madness run alive.
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