Previewing Alabama's Round Two Opponent
The Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team took care of business in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Men's tournament with a convincing 109-96 victory over 13th seed Charleston. It was a game where they had built up a 17-point halftime lead and got to cruise to victory in the second half despite both teams putting up a lot of offense. Next up for the Tide is Grand Canyon, a program that represents Grand Canyon University of Phoenix, Arizona. The match is set to take place on Sunday, March 24, 2024, at 6:10pm CST in the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, Spokane.
The Alabama Crimson Tide, known for their aggressive play, have had a remarkable season. With a record of 22-11 and a strong performance in the SEC, they are a formidable opponent. Their ability to average 11.1 made 3-pointers per game at a shooting percentage of 37.0% from deep has been a significant factor in their success. Look for their biggest star, Mark Sears to continue to make an impact. Sears scored 30 points in the round one victory and has averaged over 21 points per game during the season. The first-team-all-SEC player should get a lot of attention from the defense.
On the other side, the Grand Canyon Antelopes have shown they are not to be underestimated. With an impressive 30-4 overall record and a dominant 19-3 in the WAC, they have proven themselves throughout the year. Their shooting accuracy from the 3-point range stands at 34.3%. Rayshon Harrison, with an average of 13.8 points and 3.9 assists per game, is expected to lead the charge for the Antelopes.
Grand Canyon comes into the game fresh off their 75-66 upset of number five seed St. Mary's. Guard Tyon Grant-Foster led the team with 22 points as the team slowly turned a one-point half-time advantage into a nine-point win. It was Grand Canyon's third ever tournament appearance and first victory since moving to Division 1.
Despite being a little-known squad, the Antelopes are only 5.5-point underdogs to the Crimson Tide. Alabama will need to ensure they don't let the pressure of not having to go up against a powerful program get to them. It should prove to be an exciting game between a squad with high expectations vs one that is just happy to compete.
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