The number one overall-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide has rolled through their first weekend of games in the NCAA tournament.
First off against Texas AM Corpus-Christi, then they ousted Maryland with ease.
They have been flashing ELITE defense, holding both opponents to a combined 35% over those games. Their opponent, San Diego State is the #5 seed in the regional semi-final.
They held Charleston and Furman to sub-60 points and 32% over their first two games. As is always said, “Defense travel,” and this game has the makings of a rock fight.
The San Diego State Aztecs are the lone representative from the Mountain West and hold the only two wins from the conference in the last 2 tournaments.
Alabama is playing in the semi-final of any team in the country. They have been able to wade through troubling waters this year, but this will be a tough test considering their age and experience level.
The Louisville crowd will probably be filled with Alabama fans, but if the other teams show up, if this game is close the fans will be all on the Aztecs.
The o/u of 137 seems to be a lock for the under… I would not touch the 7.5-point spread.
The Princeton Tigers played some of the best ball of the weekend en route to an upset of Arizona and then a dominating victory over the Missouri Tigers. They looked like a team that did not deserve a 15 seed, as they have the guard play, shooting, and athleticism of a roster that could win in any league.
This is the farthest that Princeton has been in 56 years.
The Tigers of Princeton held Arizona to 55 points after they averaged over 80 during the regular season. They then held the Missouri Tigers to 63, after they were right at 80 for the season as well. Princeton did this by dominating the defensive glass. The Tigers combined to outscore them both on second-chance points 30-4.
Creighton is also making it to the Sweet 16 for the second time in their history, and its first since 1974. Creighton is riding some impressive offense in the tournament and has two different players reach the 30-point mark so far.
2022-23 Mountain West Conference Standings |
|||
---|---|---|---|
TEAM | CONF | GB | OVR |
San Diego State | 15-3 | – | 29-6 |
Utah State | 13-5 | 2 | 26-9 |
Boise State | 13-5 | 2 | 24-10 |
Nevada | 12-6 | 3 | 22-11 |
Ryan Nembhard was able to get to 30 against Baylor as Creighton dominated the Baylor Bears with relative ease to make it to the sweet 16. Creighton has also been dominant at the free-throw line.
They have only missed 6 attempts at the line since the Big East Tournament started.
This game is going to be decided by what team can dictate the pace. If this game is slower and methodical, it may be tough for Creighton to beat Princeton, as the Tigers don’t make mistakes and take care of the glass.
2022-23 Southeastern Conference Standings |
|||
---|---|---|---|
TEAM | CONF | GB | OVR |
Alabama | 16-2 | – | 31-5 |
Texas A&M | 15-3 | 1 | 25-10 |
Kentucky | 12-6 | 4 | 22-12 |
Missouri | 11-7 | 5 | 25-10 |
📍Sweet 16 pic.twitter.com/cqpcaMOA51
— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) March 23, 2023
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| Title: South Region Sweet 16
| Author: Matt Catton
| Date: Mar 24, 2023