How to watch Alabama vs. Saint Mary's in NCAA Tournament second round
The Alabama men’s basketball team continues NCAA Tournament play tomorrow in Cleveland.
The No. 2 seed in the East Region, the Crimson Tide defeated 15-seed Robert Morris, 90-81, in Friday’s first-round matchup in Cleveland’s Rocket Arena, and advanced to the Round of 32. Alabama (26-8, 13-5 SEC) will face 7-seed Saint Mary’s (29-5, 17-1 WCC) on Sunday, March 23, in the same venue after the latter defeated 10-seed Vanderbilt, 59-56.
The Crimson Tide outlasted Robert Morris in a closer contest than some expected, but Alabama pulled away late, especially when Grant Nelson checked into the game. The senior forward sat the entire first half due to a left knee injury, but he told head coach Nate Oats to “put me in” and gave UA a much-needed boost. He should start Sunday’s second round.
Sunday’s second round will be the first-ever meeting between the Tide and Gaels, and it will be a clash of two very different offensive styles. In terms of tempo, Alabama leads the nation with 75.0 possessions per game, according to KenPom. Saint Mary’s, on the other hand, averages nearly 14 fewer possessions (61.8 ppg, 359th) entering the Round of 32.
Playing in its 25th overall NCAA Tournaments, Alabama will look to advance to the Sweet 16 for the 12th time in school history and the fourth time in the last five postseason tournaments.
How to watch, listen and other key information
Date: Sunday, March 23
Tip-off time: 5:10 p.m. CT
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Venue: Rocket Arena
Capacity: 19,432
Television: TNT
– Play-by-play: Spero Dedes
– Analyst: Jim Spanarkel
– Sideline: Jon Rothstein
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Streaming link: WATCH
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network
– Play-by-play: Chris Stewart
– Analyst: Bryan Passink
Varsity Network link: LISTEN
Series record: First-ever meeting
Point spread: Alabama -5.5
Alabama Statistical Leaders
– Scoring: Mark Sears (18.7 ppg)
– Rebounding: Grant Nelson (7.6 rpg)
– Assists: Mark Sears (4.9 apg)
Saint Mary’s Statistical Leaders
– Scoring: Augustas Marciulionis (14.3 ppg)
– Rebounding: Paulius Murauskas (8.0 rpg)
– Assists: Augustas Marciulionis (6.1 apg)
Stay tuned to BamaOnLine for complete coverage of Alabama’s NCAA Tournament opener.
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