The West Region of the NCAA Tournament appears to be wide open, and there are some big games coming in the Sweet 16. One of those games will feature the Alabama Crimson Tide taking on the North Carolina Tar Heels on Thursday night.
Alabama is coming into the Sweet 16 with some momentum after going 3-1 in their last four games overall. The Crimson Tide got past the Grand Canyon Antelopes in the Second Round in what was a thrilling matchup.
North Carolina was the ACC Champion this season, and they have won four of their last five games overall. The Tar Heels were impressive in their first two NCAA games, getting past Michigan State in their most recent game.
North Carolina comes into this game as a 4.5 point betting favorite, and the over/under in this game is set at 173.5 total points.
Sears Leading Crimson Tide
Alabama has a number of great weapons on this team, but it is Mark Sears that is leading the way in the NCAA Tournament. Sears is averaging 21.5 points per game this season, but he is playing his best basketball of the season right now.
The Crimson Tide are scoring 90.8 points per game so far this season, and they are always looking to push the tempo on offense when they have the ball. While it is fun watching Alabama score points on offense, this team doesn’t always get stops.
Alabama is going to have to find a way to defend without fouling if they are going to come up with a big win over North Carolina.
Tar Heels Can Defend
North Carolina has the ability to outscore any opponent this season, but they really set the tone on defense. Armando Bacot sets the tone on defense this season, but there are some athletic wings that can get stops as well.
Bacot is having a huge season for the Tar Heels as he is averaging 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. RJ Davis is the biggest offensive star on this roster as he is pouring in 21.3 points per game this season.
North Carolina is a tough team to stop when they are making shots, and they also can take control of this game on defense. There is a reason that the Tar Heels were a number 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Tar Heels Take Control
Alabama is one of the most explosive offensive teams in the country this season, but they don’t always do a good job on the defensive end of the floor. The Crimson Tide take some bad shots at times on offense, and that is something that can cost them a game.
North Carolina has a couple of superstars leading the way this season, and it all starts with them scoring in the paint. The Tar Heels are so explosive that, at some point, this team is going to pull away from the Crimson Tide.
Bet the North Carolina Tar Heels -4.5 as they are going to pick up a big win over the Alabama Crimson Tide to advance to the Elite Eight.
