Previewing the Alabama Crimson Tide's draw in the West Region
4. Alabama
The Tide are going in the complete opposite direction of where Nate Oats would hope the team would be heading into March but, Alabama will have a chance in any game. The Alabama Basketball team will take its 2nd ranked offense and face a capable opponent on offense in Charleston who ranks 58th in adjusted offensive metrics. The Tide has struggled all season on defense which is similar to Charleston as the Tide ranks 112th in defense while Charleston ranks 176th. Alabama will need to find its defense in the opening round to make a deep run in March.
5. St Mary's
The Gaels will be a team that shocks many when they see St. Mary's ranked as a five seed headed into the tournament but, the WCC champions should not be taken lightly. The Gaels cruised through conference play going 15-1 with the nation's 16th-ranked defense. Offensively, Aidan Muhaney scores 13.9 PPG but, can take over any game as a 40% three-point shooter. The Gaels will enjoy the short trip to Spokane and can easily make a run to the Elite Eight.
6. Clemson
The Clemson Tigers are a scary team for the Alabama Basketball team having won the early season matchup 85-77 over the Tide. The Tigers rank middle of the road on both offense and defense however, PJ Hall is an anchor on both sides scoring 18.8 PPG and blocking 1.6 shots per game. Guard Joseph Girard III comes with experience at Syracuse scoring 15.7 PPG while Chase Hunter's 12.3 PPG makes for a difficult backcourt to guard.
7. Dayton
The Dayton Flyers' 74.7 Points per game won't scare anyone off the jump but, KenPom's adjusted offensive metrics have the Flyers as the Nation's 18th-ranked offense. Guard DaRon Holmes II will be a scary matchup for any opponent scoring 20.4 PPG with 8.4 rebounds per game and 2.6 assists per game. Along with Holmes, Nate Santos, Koby Brea, and Kobe Elvis all chip in around ten points per game making the Flyers a tough out.
8. Mississippi State
The Bulldogs entered conference tournament play as a bubble team before going on a run beating LSU and Tennessee to put themselves firmly in the tournament. Chris Jans has led the Bulldogs to back-to-back 21-13 seasons reaching the tournament in both seasons. The Bulldogs have the ability to make any game a rock fight holding opponents to 69.1 points per game an impressive mark in an offense-heavy SEC. Josh Hubbard and Tolu Smith combine for 32.3 points per game as one of the nation's best, guard and big, combo's.