🏀 Fiutak: Alabama vs Iona Prediction, Game Preview: NCAA Tournament First Round

[mando]

I didn't expect Bama to shoot it well, but did figure they'd have an easier time putting Iona away early. Quinerly is the spark that the team relies on right now on the offensive end. Good to see Reese nail his 3's. Petty had a very poor offensive game, but didn't let it distract from his defense, which is the big reason he's still getting more minutes IMO. He won the hard hat and was +12 for the game. For comparison sake, Ellis was -8.

Maryland just beat UCONN... IMO, that's the better matchup for Bama on Monday. Would be nice though if Maryland cools off from 3 by then (they were 9 of 18 against UCONN).

Do not know much about Maryland. So what is their MO? Offense, Defense, half court or other? Do they normally shoot a lot of 3's and at a high percentage? Surely they do not normally shoot 50%.

I think when it is all said and done it is going to be more about which Bama team shows up more so than Maryland or any team for that matter.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Do not know much about Maryland. So what is their MO? Offense, Defense, half court or other? Do they normally shoot a lot of 3's and at a high percentage? Surely they do not normally shoot 50%.

I think when it is all said and done it is going to be more about which Bama team shows up more so than Maryland or any team for that matter.

I don't know a ton about them either... seen very little other than their game tonight. But they don't appear to have any athletic bigs and they don't run the floor much. They are ranked 320th in adjusted tempo by KenPom (Bama is 9th). Also, looks like they lack quality depth. They played just 3 guys off the bench against UCONN (including Galin Smith) for a total of 28 minutes. Those 3 combined for 1 point, 1 rebound, and 1 assist.

As a team, they shot 35% from 3 on the season, same as Bama. The Terps shot an average of 23 3's per game this season. For comparison sake, Bama shot an average of 30 per game.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Down goes Texas! If Bama gets by Maryland, they'll get the UCLA/Abilene Christian winner in the Sweet 16...

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Bama gets the 7:45 tip Monday night...

 

[Destiny's Child]

I will say the calls, and the whistles so far in the tournament are heavily slanted toward the underdogs. I know that sometimes a few "cinderellas" makes it exciting. This year it feels very forced and faked by some very strange whistles.

Our game.. even though we won was definately called with Iona getting the benefit of the doubt in every call. Our guys were getting mugged on the way to the basket with no call and then call a touch foul on us on the other end.

I noticed this is most of these first round upsets and sometimes it was too much for the higher seed to overcome. To me it looks like they have been directed to do it. That needs to stop.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

I will say the calls, and the whistles so far in the tournament are heavily slanted toward the underdogs. I know that sometimes a few "cinderellas" makes it exciting. This year it feels very forced and faked by some very strange whistles.

Our game.. even though we won was definately called with Iona getting the benefit of the doubt in every call. Our guys were getting mugged on the way to the basket with no call and then call a touch foul on us on the other end.

I noticed this is most of these first round upsets and sometimes it was too much for the higher seed to overcome. To me it looks like they have been directed to do it. That needs to stop.

Officiating looked ok.( to me) ..ion a didnt shoot a free throw til late in first half...bama had 8-9 or so... thought it was more inconsistent than slanted... maybe not though...didnt pay close attention....

Dont think officials could be directed to favor one over another...it happens but certainly not directed to do so...

Just lots of missed shots at rim.... maybe their big guy affected... wierd...
Happens for bama alot.....

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

The second-round meeting is set for Alabama as the Round of 64 nears an end.


It will be the Crimson Tide vs. Maryland at 7:45 p.m. CT Monday on TNT in Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.


The No. 10 seed Terps beat 7-seed UConn 63-54 on Saturday night in West Lafayette to advance. No. 2 seed Alabama survived a scare from Iona for a 68-55 win earlier in the day in Indianapolis.


Maryland (17-13) will bring a familiar face to this second-round meeting. Former Alabama forward Galin Smith transferred to College Park after last season and is a role player for the Terps. Smith averages 3.8 points and 2.4 rebounds while playing 14.1 minutes a game in his senior season.

Alabama will see familiar face in 2nd round NCAA matchup - al.com

and

Maryland coach views Alabama as ‘fifth No. 1 seed’ - al.com

 

[planomateo]

 

[BAMAneck]

Abilene Christian beating Texas last night to make Alabama‘s path to the elite 8 slightly easier , bracket wise .

 

[mando]

You can definitely tell that is a photoshop. Pretty sure Barkley has not been that slim in a looooong time. Probably back to middle school .

 

[mando]

Big picture maybe Bama's performance is not looking to bad if you compare it to the likes of Ohio State, Texas etc... Also, Illinois has their hands full with Loyola Chicago right now. Down 9 points at half.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Big picture maybe Bama's performance is not looking to bad if you compare it to the likes of Ohio State, Texas etc... Also, Illinois has their hands full with Loyola Chicago right now. Down 9 points at half.

I wouldn't want to have to play Loyola. They are playing great.

 

[252BAMA]

Do not know much about Maryland. So what is their MO? Offense, Defense, half court or other? Do they normally shoot a lot of 3's and at a high percentage? Surely they do not normally shoot 50%.

I think when it is all said and done it is going to be more about which Bama team shows up more so than Maryland or any team for that matter.

Maryland played very well defensively against UCONN. They are ranked 44th in Scoring Defense. Loyola-Chicago is ranked #1 and they are showing it against Illinois.

NCAA College Men's Basketball DI current team Stats | NCAA.com

Discover the current NCAA Division I Men's Basketball leaders in every stats category, as well as historic leaders.

www.ncaa.com

 

[bama alum]

This was the best part of the studio coverage.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Maryland played very well defensively against UCONN. They are ranked 44th in Scoring Defense. Loyola-Chicago is ranked #1 and they are showing it against Illinois.

NCAA College Men's Basketball DI current team Stats | NCAA.com

Discover the current NCAA Division I Men's Basketball leaders in every stats category, as well as historic leaders.

www.ncaa.com

I wouldn't want to play Loyola. Perhaps they were just really fired up to play today but they really looked great.

 

[mando]

I wouldn't want to play Loyola. Perhaps they were just really fired up to play today but they really looked great.

Baylor and Gonzaga looked good also. Can't imagine us ever making this kind of statement in football no matter who the opponent is. One can dream that one day that is where we will be with basketball.

One way or another we are going to have to get through some of these teams starting with Maryland.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Forde is getting clobbered for this...

 

[Rolltide24]

Ouch. Florida downed by Oral....

 

[bama alum]

Ouch. Florida downed by Oral....

The televangalists are wearing the glass slipper. What's worse is that the right side of my bracket looks like Fallujah. FUBAR!

 

[mando]

Forde is getting clobbered for this...

What does mask wearing have to do with them being out of the tournament? Nothing at all. Just a stupid comment. This kind of stuff is what gets people fed up with the talking heads and politicians.