GLENDALE, Ariz. — Alabama coach Nate Oats had to reconstruct his roster and find three new assistant coaches. The pieces ended up fitting perfectly.
The quick and aggressive Crimson Tide were among the best offenses in the country all season and advanced to the program’s first Final Four.
The journey has taken Alabama to the desert, where the Tide face a challenging task: trying to halt the dominant reigning national champion UConn.
“We just can’t let them go on these big runs that everyone gives up,” Oats said. “It’s much easier to say than to do.”
UConn (35-3) controlled the 2023 bracket, winning every game by at least 13 points for its fifth national title.
Coach Dan Hurley had to replace five of his top seven scorers from that team, yet the Huskies have been even more dominant in their attempt to become the first repeat champions since Florida in 2006-07.
UConn won its first four NCAA Tournament games by an average of 27.8 points and has won 10 straight tournament games over two seasons by double digits. The Huskies have trailed for only 28 seconds in this year’s bracket and managed one of the greatest March Madness runs in history against Illinois in the Elite Eight, scoring 30 straight points in a 25-point win.
Travel delays kept UConn from arriving in Arizona until after 3 a.m. on Thursday, yet failed to dent the Huskies’ favored status. They’re 11 1/2-point favorites against Alabama (25-11).
“If we play exceptional offense, exceptional defense and beat you on the backboard, we’re tough to beat,” Hurley said.
One of Alabama’s toughest tests will be matching up with UConn big man Donovan Clingan.
The 7-foot-2, 280-pound sophomore has anchored the Huskies’ offense all season, averaging 12.9 points on 57% shooting with 7.5 rebounds. He’s been even more dominant defensively, blocking and altering shots for anyone who dares to venture into the paint.
Alabama doesn’t have anyone with weight to battle Clingan on the block but has played against elite shot blockers such as Purdue’s Zach Edey, Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner and Tennessee’s Jonas Aidoo.
“We’ve had some success with them,” Oats said. “Can you pull them away from the rim? We can play Grant Nelson at the 5 some, if he’s making shots. There’s other things you can do.”
Despite the focus on big men in this year’s Final Four, the second national semifinal on Saturday will feature skilled guards on both sides.
Alabama point guard Mark Sears has integrated well since transferring from Ohio two years ago, becoming the Tide’s main player. The 6-1 senior worked on his shot during the offseason and has seen great results, shooting a career-best 43% from 3 while averaging 21.5 points and 4.0 assists per game.
Aaron Estrada averages 13.3 points per game, Rylan Griffen 11.3 and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. 9.0 on a team that led the nation in scoring. Backup guard Jarin Stevenson gave the Crimson Tide a huge boost in the Elite Eight against Clemson, hitting five 3-pointers while scoring 19 points.
UConn’s Tristen Newton has been even better since playing a key role on last year’s championship team, leading the Huskies with 15 points per game. Cam Spencer has fit in well since transferring from Rutgers, averaging 14.4 points, and freshman Stephon Castle has shown that he can handle the pressure of playing for the reigning national champions.
