The Alabama Crimson Tide is set to face the North Dakota Fighting Hawks on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota. This non-conference matchup features two teams with contrasting styles and aspirations, promising an intriguing contest for college basketball enthusiasts.
Alabama, under sixth-year head coach Nate Oats, has established itself as a national powerhouse. The Crimson Tide boasts an 8-2 record and are ranked 7th in the latest AP poll.
Bama’s high-octane offense averages 88.6 points per game, placing them fifth nationally. This offensive prowess is led by senior guard Mark Sears, a National Player of the Year candidate, and forward Grant Nelson, who provides versatility and scoring from the frontcourt.
Defensively, however, Alabama has shown vulnerabilities, allowing 77.8 points per game, which ranks 318th nationally.
This discrepancy between offensive efficiency and defensive lapses has been a focal point for Coach Oats, who emphasized the need for a more balanced approach: “We need to tighten up on the defensive end to complement our scoring capabilities.”
In contrast, North Dakota, led by head coach Paul Sather in his sixth season, holds a 4-8 record.
The Fighting Hawks average 71.6 points per game but struggle defensively, conceding 77.2 points per game.
Their recent performances include a 76-80 loss to UTSA on December 13, followed by an 85-95 defeat in a rematch on December 15.
Treysen Eaglestaff, a 6’6″ junior guard leads the hawks with 18.6 points per game. 2.2 assists per game, and 42.4% FG percentage. Another key player for North Dakota is junior guard Eli King, a transfer from Iowa State, who has been instrumental in their offensive schemes. King’s ability to penetrate defenses and facilitate ball movement will be crucial against Alabama’s aggressive play.
The matchup in the paint will be significant, with Alabama’s Clifford Omoruyi, a graduate transfer from Rutgers, anchoring the interior. Omoruyi’s shot-blocking presence and rebounding are vital to the Crimson Tide’s defensive efforts. North Dakota’s frontcourt, including senior forward Brian Mathews, will need to counter Omoruyi’s physicality to secure second-chance opportunities.
Alabama’s depth and perimeter shooting is another potential strength, with guards Mark Sears and Aden Holloway able to shoot from long distance and the recent emergence of Houston Mallette and return of Chris Youngblood in the last game providing scoring threats from beyond the arc along. The Crimson Tide’s ability to stretch the floor could pose challenges for North Dakota’s defense, which has struggled to contain teams with strong outside shooting.
For North Dakota, maintaining a deliberate pace and minimizing turnovers will be essential to mitigate Alabama’s transition offense. The Fighting Hawks’ ball control, led by sophomore guard Mier Panoam, will be tested against the Crimson Tide’s pressure defense. Panoam averages 11.1 points per game this season.
The game represents a homecoming of sorts for Alabama’s senior forward and North Dakota native, Grant Nelson. Nelson grew up about 90 miles from the North Dakota campus but was signed by cross-state rival North Dakota State in 2020 because that was his only offer. He played 3 years for North Dakota State before transferring to Alabama for the 2023-24 season.
Nelson is still looking for tickets for the many family and friends who will be making the short journey to see the game. “I could still use tons, really. I have nine siblings, and they’ve all got families. It’s a crazy amount of people. I think I have enough for close family and a lot of people from my hometown.”
Tip time is 9pm ET on CBS Sports Network.
Game Summary:
- Date and Time: Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 9:00 PM ET
- Location: Betty Engelstad Sioux Center, Grand Forks, North Dakota
- Television: CBSSN
- Streaming: CBS Sports Network
- Alabama Ranking: 6th in AP Poll, 8th KenPom.com
- North Dakota Ranking: Unranked AP, 302nd KenPom.com
Article by TideFans.com