The No. 4-seed Alabama Crimson Tide will face the No. 6-seed Clemson Tigers. This will be a rematch, as the two teams in November. In that matchup, the Tigers came away with an 85-77 victory, despite being at Alabama. Both teams have had up and down seasons, but are playing their best basketball at the right time.
Alabama Crimson Tide
The Crimson Tide have beaten the 13-seed Charleston Cougars, 12-seed Grand Canyon Lopes, and 1-seed North Carolina Tar Heels. Despite the Cougars and Lopes being ranked low, both teams were hot entering the tournament. The best win was against the Tar Heels though. The highest-ranked team in the region is strong, but couldn’t beat the Crimson Tide. The team is led by Second Team All-American Mark Sears, but right now, it’s Grant Nelson leading the way. Nate Oats is a good coach, who has assembled a team that can compete with anyone.
Clemson Tigers
The Tigers have been streaky throughout the season, but have proven themselves thus far into the tournament. They’ve beat 11-seed New Mexico Lobos, 3-seed Baylor Bears and 2-seed Arizona Wildcats. The Lobos were no easy game, as they were coming off a conference championship. Both the Bears and Wildcats have been top teams throughout the season. PJ Hall has been their best player, but this team is well-rounded and balanced. Anyone doubting the Tigers’ abilities, surely isn’t anymore.
Elite Eight Matchup
The Tigers and Crimson Tide are set up for an intriguing matchup. The most impactful matchup will be PJ Hall and Grant Nelson. Both are playing great basketball and are post players who can also play with guards well. Seeing them match up in this game will be exciting. Perhaps the biggest issue for Clemson will be Mark Sears. The Tigers simply don’t have the guards to match his firepower. Hunter and Girard are playing well, but neither is an All-American. If the Tigers can contain him, that will go a long way.
The Tigers have been playing great defence, but Alabama is an excellent three-point shooting team. The Crimson Tide open as 3.5-point favourites, and fans can look forward to a great offence vs defence rematch.
