
Brandon Miller and his Crimson Tide have been on a roll all season long and are the favorites to win it all. San Diego State is one of the tougher matchups left in this tournament for the Crimson Tide. The Aztecs are excellent on the defensive end and rebound very well. This game will be tougher than people think.
Not only are the Crimson Tide the clear favorite to win the NCAA Tournament, but they also boast Brandon Miller – college basketball’s best player – so now it’s about to dominate in rebounding. But, will they rebound at the same rate that they have in the past? Chances are no and that’s why this game will be close. The Aztecs are one of the few teams that can hold their own on the boards against Alabama.
Miller will have his work cut out for him against the Aztec length and strength, but he’s just part of what makes up this No. 1 rebounding team in America.
This Aztec team has some decent shooting, but it needs to take control of the offensive glass and/or keep Alabama’s star players off of it from all sides to have any chance at victory.
Who else could rebound as Arizona did, coming up with 37 points in its November win against San Diego State.
Alabama would never wish to face this type of team and for a good reason!
Tennessee 65, Duke 52. Take a look at the 2023 NCAA Tournament bracket. Teams playing aggressive defense are generally winning out, while older squads tend to fall behind.
Duke had more talent than Tennessee, but Tennessee proved too strong and athletic for Duke in a 65-52 loss. With their older team behind them, Duke could not keep up, falling to an overwhelming 65 points.
Alabama is an incredible team. Not only is it more athletic and dangerous than San Diego State, but they’re set to face off against one of the strongest and deepest teams in college basketball – Alabama!
Bama had three wins over Michigan State, North Carolina and Houston in November and December; however, it lost one game against Tennessee in February where they were held to 59 points.
San Diego State is even more physical with its rotation of seven seniors and two juniors who can all hit hard. Alabama won’t have control of the interior, while San Diego State’s strong defense won’t let any mistakes go unforced.
San Diego State is not known to buckle under pressure – it handled Furman’s press with ease – but that’s not what Alabama does. Plus, there’s that D…
Bama is 29-1 when scoring 71 or more points; however, they fall to 2-4 when that goal isn’t scored.
San Diego State allows 63.4 points per game.
These two teams have not played this season.
San Diego State lacks offensive firepower.
It has the capacity to overwhelm offenses in every possible way, but it will have difficulty finding open threes or interior passes to sustain its success.
Bama will have to fight through this one.
It’s going to get pushed around, and again it is facing off against a veteran team that looks and plays like it spent five years in a college weight room. Plus, add in the “no one believes in us” factor – the Aztecs haven’t been predicted to lose since facing Saint Mary’s back in early December – and this presents an extremely dangerous test.
Alabama will have the offensive surge in the second half that San Diego State can’t match, and then their impressive defense will shut down the game for good over the final five minutes to advance. The Tide will roll on, but they won’t cover.
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