2023 March Madness South Region analysis: No excuses for Alabama

Name this Area of Stability.

There are elite offensive groups like No. 2 Arizona, No. 6 Creighton, No. 7 Missouri and No. 10 Utah State, and robust defensive ones reminiscent of No. 4 Virginia, No. 5 San Diego State and No. 8 Maryland.

After which there may be the general prime seed, Alabama, which actually will get it carried out at each ends of the ground. The South actually is the Crimson Tide’s to lose, nearly as good as Arizona has performed all 12 months.

With the No. 1 total seed, it was given a smooth Candy 16 opponent — neither Virginia nor San Diego State will pose a lot of a risk.

Coach Nate Oats and famous person wing Brandon Miller don’t have any excuses to not not less than attain the college’s first Elite Eight since 2004.

Bracket Buster: No. 6 Creighton

A sixth seed in quantity solely, the Bluejays are a Closing 4 contender.

That is principally the identical crew that just about despatched Kansas house within the second spherical final 12 months, and it’s more healthy than it was then.

Baylor is in hassle within the second spherical, and Arizona is way from secure if it has to take care of Creighton after that.

First-Spherical Upset Watch

No. 12 Charleston over No. 5 San Diego State

San Diego State is methodical.

Charleston desires to push tempo.

Whichever crew can management tempo doubtless prevails. Each are used to getting their method — they’ve simply 9 losses between them.

Finest First-Spherical Matchup

No. 7 Missouri vs. No. 10 Utah State

Kinds make video games, and this one figures to be one of many simpler opening-round contests on the eyes.

Two top-15 offenses, two groups that common near 80 factors per recreation and share the ball at a excessive charge. First to 80 wins.

Unsung Participant: G Kobe Brown, Missouri

The senior wing is an absolute flame-thrower from distance, taking pictures 44.7 % from 3-point vary, however he’s greater than only a shooter.

Brown can also be a succesful rebounder and distributor, the driving power behind Missouri’s shocking 24-win season.

Participant to look at: F Azuolas Tubelis, Arizona

The Lithuanian ahead is large, robust and expert, and most significantly constant.

He scored in double figures in all however one recreation this 12 months, and notched 14 double-doubles for the Pac-12 Match champions.

The Publish’s Choose

Alabama

One of the best participant and the most effective crew usually win this time of 12 months.

Alabama actually suits that mildew. It dominated the SEC, successful the regular-season title and postseason match, and confronted little resistance alongside the best way.

The Crimson Tide received’t be challenged till assembly Creighton within the regional ultimate, after coasting previous overmatched Maryland within the second spherical and Virginia within the Candy 16.

Miller goes on a late run to open up a detailed recreation en path to Most Excellent Participant honors. For not less than a couple of weeks, they’ll put soccer on the again burner in Tuscaloosa.