David vs Goliath: Alabama Basketball in Unique Position Heading into Sweet 16

As the No. 1-overall seed, the Crimson Tide is in a unique position as the Goliath among a sea of Davids in the South Region.

Joey Blackwell | Mar 24, 2023

Jamar Coach/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Alabama Crimson Tide

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — David vs Goliath.

It's a story that goes back thousands of years. Most children in the South grow up hearing it in Sunday school — a staple Bible story that teaches how faith can help the triumph over the mighty. In fact, for many it just might be the first underdog story that they hear in their youth.

While David facing down and defeating Goliath took place in the Valley of Elah is an ancient tale, it has transcended to an expression in modern-day language — an expression denoting how an underdog can take down a powerhouse. And, more often than not, the expression is used in the realm of sports.

On Friday evening in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, a true David vs Goliath kind of story is taking place in the South Regional.

Top-seeded Alabama basketball enters the KFC Yum! Center in downtown Louisville as the heavy favorites over its opponent, 5-seed San Diego State. Since the team's loss at Texas A&M in its regular-season finale, the Crimson Tide has looked nearly unstoppable — beating opponents by an average of 19.2 points per game.

There is no doubt that Alabama is the Goliath in Friday's game. Being named as the No. 1-overall seed, it's a position that’s new for the program as a whole — but that doesn't make it any less intimidating for opponents.

On Thursday during their meeting with the media, Crimson Tide forward Brandon Miller and Mark Sears said that despite the status as the Goliath of the South Region, they aren't taking any chances with the Aztecs.

"I feel like us as a group, we just take it slow," Miller said. "We don't overlook any team. We know this team is here for a reason. They've beat highly, highly talented teams. So we just have to come out here and just play our game really and just not let them speed us up or play at their tempo."

"The other thing is we take it one possession at a time," Sears added.

San Diego State is the David in the battle, but make no mistake: the team is no slouch. While its offense leaves something to be desired — ranked No. 70 in offensive efficiency according to KenPom — its defense is nothing to laugh at, coming in at No. 5. However, it's the slow tempo of the Aztecs that could cause problems for the Crimson Tide.

It's no mistake that during Nate Oats' tenure at Alabama, slow teams have often been the Crimson Tide's biggest weakness. That is, when Alabama is forced to slow down to its opponent's pace. SDSU is built to do just that at No. 263 in the country in tempo compared to No. 5 Alabama.

If the collective Davids that are the Aztecs are able to take down the Goliath that is Alabama, it will be tempo that likely plays the biggest factor.

That's something that Oats is very aware of.

"They play a lot slower," Oats said. "We try to get it up and down. So it's going to be who can make it more their tempo. But I think we have been able to show that we win games in the half court too.

"When you've got a good defense, I think you're in most games."

Should Alabama make it past the Aztecs, two more potential Davids stand in its way in 6-seed Creighton and 15-seed Princeton. Even if the Crimson Tide handles business on Friday, its nickname as the Goliath of the tournament won't be going away until at least the Final Four — if it makes it, that is.

There are plenty of opportunities for David to take down Goliath in this tournament. When it comes to how he addresses that with his team, Oats said that the only way to combat it is by telling his players to focus on what they can control.

"We never lie to our team and try to tell them — no, we don't try to — we tell them the truth," Oats said. "We tell them, you know, when we're focused and concentrating on what we're supposed to be focused on, we should be the best team in the country.

"Now, we need to play like it, and we've had enough games this year where we haven't done that. So we're not trying to flip it and tell them anything different. They know we're the No. 1 overall seed. They know what we're capable of when we bring it, but we need to bring it."

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