A big advantage to playing such a high-paced tempo like Alabama does is that the more possessions you get, the lower the amount of variance a game is going to have. Just like in the NBA, the better team typically wins a seven-game series in the playoffs; the better team is typically going to prevail in a game with a high-number of possessions.
That's what Nate Oats counts on, particularly in matchups with mid-major opponents, and it has led to a ton of success for the 7th-year head coach in Tuscaloosa.
Pace of play during Friday's first-round matchup against Hofstra will be extremely important - for both teams.
Alabama plays at the nation's 4th-fastest tempo, per KenPom, averaging over 73 possessions per game. Hofstra plays at one of the nation's slowest paces, ranking 317th out of 365 Division I teams, averaging fewer than 65 possessions per game.
Something has to give on Friday in Tampa.
Alabama must be able to dictate the tempo against Hofstra
Even without Aden Holloway, Alabama is going to want to push the pace against Hofstra. The Pride will do whatever they can to slow the pace to a crawl, hoping that, by doing so, it increases the amount of variance in the game and gives them the best chance of pulling off a stunning opening-round upset.
One of the ways Hofstra will try to do that is by controlling the glass. It ranks 51st in the country in offensive rebounding rate, something that has been a season-long issue for the Crimson Tide. If Hofstra can control the glass and steal extra possessions in a game that could have fewer possessions than Alabama is used to anyway, then there's a much clearer path to a major upset.
Alabama will look to push the pace at any chance they can get, and with Holloway out, a lot of the offensive workload is going to fall on the shoulders of star sophomore guard Labaron Philon. Alabama's offense will go as far as he is able to take it.
Playing teams that try to slow down the tempo is nothing new for Oats. The Crimson Tide will push the pace, but the game could ultimately come down to Alabama's defensive rebounding forcing Hofstra into one-shot possessions.