Who Are Alabama's Potential NCAA Tournament Opponents?
The No. 14 Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team has an opportunity to get back on track on Wednesday as they head to Oxford for a matchup with Ole Miss. The Crimson Tide has had a strong year to this point and are preparing for the stretch run of the season with just four games remaining on the schedule.
As the NCAA Tournament draws near, ESPN's Joe Lunardi updates his prediction for the upcoming field. Lunardi predicts the Crimson Tide as a 3-seed in the upcoming tournament in the Memphis regional.
Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats has taken two of his teams to the Sweet 16 before, so let's look at who Lundari has going to Memphis to compete with the Tide for a place in the Sweet 16.
Alabama has only lost eight games this season, with all eight losses coming to teams in the top-35 in offensive efficiency according to KenPom. As the 3-seed the Crimson Tide will be expected to get out of the regional, but is there a bad matchup lurking somewhere in the bracket?
- 14-seed: High Point
- The Panthers are currently leading the Big South with a 23-6 record. KenPom considers them 112 with the No. 30 offense and the No. 253 defense. While the offense falls right in line with what has given the Tide troubles this season the Panthers horrific defense won't be slowing Alabama's No. 1 overall offense in the first round.
- 6-seed: Dayton
- The Flyers, coached by former Alabama head coach Anthony Grant are 22-5 and in second place in A-10 Conference. KenPom considers Dayton the No. 25 overall team with the No. 17 offense and the No. 64 defense. This potential second round matchup has all the ingredients of an upset as the Flyers play strong enough offense and adequate defense to hang with the Crimson Tide.
- 11-seed: Seton Hall
- The Pirates are 18-9 so far and sit in third place in the Big East. KenPom considers them the No. 55 team in the nation with the No. 82 offense and No. 41 defense. The Big East team plays strong defense, but does it have enough firepower offensively to get to the number that the Crimson Tide is capable of?
- 11-seed: Virginia
- The Cavaliers are 20-8 and find themselves in third place in the ACC. KenPom considers them No. 66 in the nation with the No. 191 offense and the No. 9 defense. Tony Bennett is five years removed from his national title run but his formula is still the same. Grind games out by playing strong defense. Perhaps the Cavs could slow the pace of a potential second round matchup enough to pull an upset, but with Virginia's putrid offense and upset is unlikely.
Keep up with each show on Youtube, Facebook and Twitter. Shows can also be heard on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon.
