The Alabama Women's Basketball team is gearing up for its Second Round NCAA Tournament matchup with Maryland in a road game against the 4-seeded Terrapins in College Park.
Alabama defeated 12-seed Green Bay in the First Round, 81-67, to advance to this matchup. Aaliyah Nye and Zaay Green led the way for the Crimson Tide, combining for 45 points. Green was the mainstay throughout the game while Nye buried the Phoenix with an 8-0 run of her own down the stretch to put the game away.
Maryland defeated 13-seed Norfolk State 82-69 to get here.
What's on the line for the Crimson Tide? Just the program's first Sweet 16 since 1998. It's been 27 years since they've advanced to the second weekend of the Big Dance. Kristy Curry has elevated the program to levels it hasn't seen in a long time, but this is the next step in building this program.
The Crimson Tide and Terrapins will tip-off at 4pm CT and the game will be televised by ESPN2. The winner will draw South Carolina in Birmingham in the Sweet 16.
Alabama is a small underdog against Maryland on Monday
According to FanDuel, Alabama is a 1.5-point underdog for Monday afternoon's matchup in College Park with Maryland. Home court advantage is the only difference in this point spread as oddsmakers expect a 50-50 game.
The Terps started the season 14-0 before finishing the season just 9-7 heading into the NCAA Tournament.
This is as good of an opportunity as Alabama has had under Curry to get to the Sweet 16. Maryland is a quality opponent, but the Tide is good enough to win this game.
Alabama will need Nye and Green to play well once again, along with star guard Sarah Ashlee Barker bouncing back from a poor shooting game in the First Round.