Entering the Sweet 16, Alabama ranks four spots below a Kentucky team the Crimson Tide beat three times in head-to-head play. USA TODAY Sports analyst explains why.
The Alabama Crimson Tide come head into the Sweet 16 with plenty of high hopes but with some question marks looming after their first two games in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Alabama, the No. 2 seed in the East Region bracket, overcame a scare against No. 15 seed Robert Morris in the first round in Cleveland for a too-close-for-comfort 90-81 victory on Friday before a much-improved performance against a dangerous Saint Mary’s Gaels team.
The Crimson Tide (27-8) defeated the Gaels, 80-66, with Nate Oats’ team showing off its depth as six players finished in double figures, led by Chris Youngblood’s 13 points. With the win, Alabama advanced to the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive season and for the fourth time in the past five years.
On Tuesday, USA TODAY Sports reseeded each Sweet 16 team based on their performances in the first two rounds of March Madness. Alabama was No. 10 in college basketball analyst Eddie Timanus’ rankings. The Crimson Tide ranked one spot below Texas Tech and four spots below the Kentucky Wildcats (who Alabama beat three times this year). Alabama’s Sweet 16 opponent, the BYU Cougars, ranked No. 12.
Timanus said of Alabama’s low ranking:
“A No. 2 seed that reach the Final Four a year ago should probably be higher on the list. But this year’s version of the Crimson Tide is more prone to defensive lapses, a trait that could send them packing as early as their next contest against a high-scoring Brigham Young team. They found a way in the regional rounds last year to put it all together. Perhaps, Mark Sears and Grant Nelson can turn back the clock.”
Alabama certainly turned some heads with its opening-round showing against Robert Morris. The Crimson Tide trailed 65-64 with under seven minutes to play when Nelson entered the game and threw down a dunk. But the combined presence of big men Clifford Omoruyi and Mouhamed Dioubate so far in the tournament shouldn’t be overlooked.
Dioubate had a double-double against Robert Morris as he and Omoruyi combined for 35 points. Against Saint Mary’s, they combined for 20 with Omoruyi finishing with 10 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double.
Regardless of where Alabama sits in anyone’s Sweet 16 rankings — for comparison, CBS Sports and The Athletic have them at No. 6 — the Crimson Tide will need to be at their best against a BYU (26-9) team led by top guard Richie Saunders that can shoot the ball as well as anyone.
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Tipoff for Alabama vs. BYU is scheduled for 6:09 p.m. CT Thursday at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The game will be televised on CBS.
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