2024 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Clash: North Carolina vs. Alabama Preview

The North Carolina Tar Heels are set to face off against the Alabama Crimson Tide in a highly anticipated 2024 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 showdown. Both teams have breezed through the early rounds of the tournament with convincing wins, setting the stage for an intense battle on Thursday. This matchup holds additional significance as a rematch from last year’s Phil Knight Invitational, where the Crimson Tide emerged victorious in a thrilling four-overtime encounter, altering the Tar Heels’ postseason fate.

Scheduled for a 9:39 p.m. ET tipoff at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the top-seeded Tar Heels are the favorites by 4.5 points, with an over/under set at 173.5 total points. Anticipation is high for what promises to be a closely contested game with high stakes for both North Carolina and Alabama.

Coach Hubert Davis and his Tar Heels squad, known for their strong rebounding prowess averaging nearly 41 boards per game, aim to dispel any lingering perceptions of finesse by matching the physicality of their opponents. In a recent game against Michigan State where the Spartans initially outworked North Carolina, a fiery halftime talk from Davis spurred the Tar Heels to a dominant performance led by senior forward Armando Bacot. Bacot’s contribution of 18 points, seven rebounds, and key defensive plays underscored his leadership.

On the Crimson Tide’s side, coach Nate Oats received positive news with Latrell Wrightsell‘s availability for the upcoming game. Wrightsell, a sharp-shooting junior, had a brief scare with a head injury but is cleared to play against North Carolina. Known for his accuracy from beyond the arc at 44.3% and a history of explosive scoring, Wrightsell’s presence adds depth to Alabama’s lineup going into this critical Sweet 16 clash.

SportsLine’s model projects a total of 162 points, indicating a defensive battle on the cards. With a spread prediction pointing to a clear choice for bettors, the game is shaping up to be a compelling spectacle of talent, strategy, and determination as North Carolina and Alabama vie for a spot in the Elite Eight.