NCAA Tournament How To Watch: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 16 Texas A&M - Corpus Christi

The Crimson Tide finally knows its opponent for the first-round game on Thursday afternoon in Birmingham.

The Alabama Crimson Tide had to wait a little longer to learn who it would be playing in the opening round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. But after a hard-fought game, Texas A&M Corpus Christi edged Southeast Missouri State to earn a date with the tournament's top-overall seed.

The Islanders, led by head coach Steve Lutz, defeated the Redhawks 75-71   in a closely contested First Four matchup for the program's first NCAA Tournament win in school history. 

During the regular season, Texas A&M - Corpus Christi had a 24-10 record with a 14-4 record in conference play.

The team's leading scorers are Trevian Tennyson, Isaac Mushila and Terrion Murdix, all of whom average better than 13 points per game.

During the First Four game, however, it was Jalen Jackson who led the way with 22 points by going 14-for-18 from the free-throw line. Mushila was second on the team with a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double.

The two things Steve Lutz's squad did well against SEMO were rebounding the basketball (45-30 advantage) and scoring in transition (14-4 fast break scoring spread).

They will face an Alabama team that ended the season ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25, led by SEC Player of the Year and Wooden Award Finalist Brandon Miller. 

Nate Oats' squad will also have the advantage of playing in Birmingham, which is only an hour away from Tuscaloosa.

How to Watch Alabama vs. Texas A&M  - Corpus Christi

Who: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 16 Texas A&M - Corpus Christi

When: 1:45 p.m. CT, Thursday

Where: Legacy Arena, Birmingham, Ala.

TV: CBS

Live Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Play-By-Play: Chris Stewart; Analyst: Bryan Passink). The pregame show will begin one hour before tipoff.

Series: Alabama leads 1-0

Last Meeting: You have to go back to 2004-2005 to find the only matchup between the Crimson Tide and the Islanders. Alabama won 76-54 inside Coleman Coliseum.

Last Time Out, Alabama: The Crimson Tide won its second SEC Tournament championship in three years, defeating Texas A&M 82-63. Brandon Miller and Jahvon Quinerly scored 23 and 22 points, respectively, and Charles Bediako added 12 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks.

Last Time Out, Texas A&M - Corpus Christi: The Islanders outlasted Southeast Missouri State 75-71 in a First Four matchup. Jalen Jackson had a team-high 22 points and Isaac Mushila added a double-double. 

Alabama Leaders:

• Scoring: Brandon Miller (19.7 ppg)

• Rebounding: Brandon Miller (8.3 rpg)

• Assists: Jahvon Quinerly (3.7 apg)

Texas A&M - Corpus Christi Leaders

• Scoring: Tevian Tennyson (15.6 ppg)

• Rebounding: Isaac Mushila (9.7 rpg)

• Assists: Terrion Murdix (5.4 apg)