Crimson Tide, Cougars Clash in Sweet 16 Showdown

NEWARK, N.J. — The No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide is set to take on the No. 6 BYU Cougars Thursday at 7:09 p.m. ET in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament at the Prudential Center.

Alabama (27-8) advanced to the Sweet 16 after defeating the seventh-seeded Saint Mary’s 80-66 on Sunday, continuing a strong showing in the tournament. Coach Nate Oats expressed confidence in his team’s depth, noting, “It’s tough to guard us when you’ve got six guys capable of getting double digits.”

Chris Youngblood led Alabama’s offensive charge against Saint Mary’s, contributing 13 points. Remarkably, the Crimson Tide managed a 13-point halftime lead even as All-American guard Mark Sears dealt with foul trouble, finishing with 12 points on 5-of-15 shooting.

Alabama’s ability to respond to momentum shifts, such as when Clifford Omoruyi executed a spectacular reverse alley-oop, helped maintain their lead throughout the game. “I feel like we’ve been slept on,” forward Grant Nelson said. “We knew we had to come out and bring energy.”

In contrast, BYU (24-12) will be striving to reach the Elite Eight for the first time in a decade. The Cougars will be looking to exploit Alabama’s defensive vulnerabilities while advancing under pressure from a robust Crimson Tide offense.

Betting odds from FanDuel favor Alabama by 5.5 points, indicating a competitive matchup as both teams prepare to battle for a shot at the Final Four.

For fans who wish to watch the game, it will be broadcast on CBS, with various streaming options available, including DirecTV Stream and FuboTV, both offering free trials for new subscribers.

Upcoming games on Thursday also include No. 1 Duke vs. No. 4 Arizona at 9:39 p.m. ET, as the tournament intensifies with teams vying for prestige and the opportunity for a national title.