ESPN's Joe Lunardi makes Alabama's case as NCAA Tournament's No. 1 overall seed

ESPN’s Joe Lunardi believes Alabama has a case to be named the top overall seed on Selection Sunday.

While the Crimson Tide are focused on the SEC Tournament title game against Texas A&M, ESPN’s resident bracket expert explained why he believes Nate Oats’ squad deserves to be in the conversation.

“I think you have to give some consideration to Alabama at this point,” explained Lunardi. “When the committee gave us a Top 16 reveal a month ago, they had Alabama ahead of both Kansas and Houston.”

While Lunardi is championing the Crimson Tide, he wouldn’t go as far as to put them at the top of his list, believing the Kansas Jayhawks deserve the honor of being the NCAA Tournament’s top overall seed for 2023.

“However, since then, Kansas has piled up another boatload on Quad 1 wins,” added Lunardi. “They have 17 of them. Which is more than Houston and Alabama put together. So I’m sticking with the Jayhawks as No. 1 in the Midwest, and No. 1 overall, but it really won’t change their path if they slip to No. 2.”

Regardless, it’s evident Alabama is in fantastic shape entering the NCAA Tournament. Whether they’re the top overall seed or not, Joe Lunardi and experts alike recognize the Crimson Tide are simply a force.

Nate Oats reacts to Alabama clinching spot in SEC Tournament Finals after win over Missouri

Moreover, Alabama took down Missouri 72-61 in the SEC Tournament semifinals and clinched a spot in the championship game against Texas A&M. Head coach Nate Oats was thrilled for his team’s hard fought victory over the Tigers and immediately switched focus on the short turnaround.

Guys like Brandon Miller, Noah Clowney and Charles Bediako stepped up. The trio was the biggest reason for a Crimson Tide win after they did not relinquish the halftime lead.

Oats spoke about his team’s effort following the team’s second trip to the finals in three years.

“Yeah, I mean, they’re a really mature group of freshmen, you know,” Oats said postgame on ESPN. “(Noah) Clowney like he is just a mature, 25-year old, acts like a pro, carries himself like a pro. Brandon, Jaden Bradley … same way so they may be young and may be freshmen, they don’t act like that. They’ve got enough minutes under their belt. I don’t really consider them freshmen anymore. 

“We can take care of business tomorrow and we’re gonna be a number one seed, maybe the number one overall seed.”

Miller put up 20 points, 12 rebounds and four rebounds to lead the way for the Crimson Tide. He regularly played in foul trouble throughout the game.

“I think my teammates have really believed in me to take over,” Miller said postgame on ESPN. “So I mean, my confidence and the confidence that they have for me is just amazing. So it just allowed me to take over a game … I think when you lose yourself in the game, you don’t realize all that stuff. You just play hard and just play to get away with your team.”

Miller echoed Oats’ thoughts on the preparation for Sunday’s championship game.

“It’s a mind game,” Miller said. “Locking in getting focused, but again tomorrow it’s probably gonna be a tough battle between the two good teams. So we believe that we’re gonna come out with a win.”