WATCH: Stephen A. Smith weighs in on No. 1 overall seed Alabama: 'I'm rolling with them'
Stephen A. Smith is known to have a particular fondness for the Tide out of Tuscaloosa. However, that respect usually extends only to the Alabama team that competes on the gridiron. Now, it has reached the basketball court ahead of this season’s NCAA Tournament.
On First Take, Smith declared the Crimson Tide, the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed, as his pick to win March Madness this season. He thinks the Tide’s basketball program can join the title-winning ways of their football team this month, specifically because of the kind of superstar he believes Brandon Miller can and will be in the big dance.
“I’m rolling with them!,” exclaimed Smith. “Listen, Alabama? And, usually, I’m saying this about Nick Saban. But wouldn’t it be beautiful if the basketball program won a national championship?”
“This brother can ball! Brandon Miller is special,” Smith said. “(Mark) Sears is not bad, (Noah) Clowney is not bad. But Brandon Miller is special…When you’ve got that kind of stud? That’s the kind of dude that can deliver the goods.”
Alabama has plenty of pieces that can ‘deliver the goods’. Nate Oats’ team runs deep and gets the job done on both ends with a high-powered offense and a quick, athletic defense that generates even more scoring opportunities. Add in the force that is Miller, who is now a First-Team AP All-American that scores 19.6 points per game on efficient numbers, and they also have a face to rally behind in a player that can lead them on the floor to a national championship.
Audiences often applaud Smith for his basketball knowledge, albeit that it comes more so in the NBA. Still, Alabama did enough to earn his attention and, therefore, his selection to take home the title in Houston on April 3rd.
“I’m watching them and I’m rolling with the Tide. I’m picking Alabama!,” Smith proclaimed.