NCAAB · 1 year ago

How UConn Can Beat Alabama: 5 Keys to Victory

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

5. Control the Paint
Connecticut’s most significant advantage in this game will be in the paint. Alabama’s two starting forwards, Grant Nelson, and Nick Pringle, are athletic and versatile but will have a challenging task contending with the mammoth size and improving skill of Donovan Clingan. The 7’2” big man was the best player against Illinois, and Alabama has no on-paper answers for his length and physicality. UConn needs to maximize its advantage in the post and force Alabama to contend with Clingan until it proves it can stop him.
1. Lock In On Defense
The Alabama Crimson Tide are one of the nation’s best offensive teams, and they have continued their stellar production during the NCAA Tournament. Alabama scored 109 points in the first round against Charleston, 72 against Grand Canyon, and then 89 points against North Carolina and Clemson. The Tar Heels and the Tigers were outstanding defensive teams but struggled to contain the speed and perimeter attack of the Crimson Tide. The Connecticut Huskies hang their hats on toughness and defense and have strangled all four of their opponents in the NCAA Tournament. Stetson, San Diego State, and Illinois each scored 52 points, and Northwestern scored 58. This will be UConn’s most challenging test on defense, and they’ll need to continue playing at a high level on that end to reach the national title game.

UConn (-11.5) vs. Alabama - Saturday at 8:49 pm ET
2. Be Competitive From 3
Alabama is going to attempt a lot of three-pointers, and they will probably make a decent number. That’s how they play, and have the personnel to make it work. If UConn has one weakness, it would be three-point shooting. They likely will not outshoot Alabama but must remain competitive from three. In the Elite Eight matchup against Clemson, Alabama made 16 three-pointers and outscored Clemson by 24 points from the perimeter. Connecticut made nine three-pointers against Stetson but only three against Northwestern and three against Illinois. UConn can shoot it well from the perimeter and will need to at least stay close to the Crimson Tide from three.

Connecticut's Odds to Win 2024 National Title: -185
3. Newton and Castle Must Step Up
Alabama has very skilled guards, particularly Mark Sears. The Connecticut Huskies have to get better production from guards Stephon Castle and Tristen Newton than those two provided against Illinois. Newton and Castle were outstanding on defense against Terrence Shannon Jr. in the Elite Eight (limiting him to 2-12 and eight points) but struggled mightily on the offensive end. Castle was 1-6 with only two points, and Newton was 0-6 with only five points. That is a combined seven points in 54 minutes. Connecticut still cruised to victory, but they won’t beat Alabama with that kind of play from its two-star guards.
4. Don't Let Sears Catch Fire
Alabama’s most straightforward path to victory is the same one they used to knock off Clemson with a second-half run: have Mark Sears get scorching hot from three. After beginning the ice-cold game, Sears ended up with seven three-pointers and 23 points, making big shot after big shot to seal the trip to the Final Four. Freshman Jarin Stevenson’s 19 points aided Sears, but the veteran guard is the star of the Crimson Tide and played like it. UConn has Tristen Newton and Stephon Castle, big guards with great length, to throw at Sears, and if those two can keep Sears in check, the Connecticut Huskies will be playing on Monday night for a second-straight title.

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5. Control the Paint
Connecticut’s most significant advantage in this game will be in the paint. Alabama’s two starting forwards, Grant Nelson, and Nick Pringle, are athletic and versatile but will have a challenging task contending with the mammoth size and improving skill of Donovan Clingan. The 7’2” big man was the best player against Illinois, and Alabama has no on-paper answers for his length and physicality. UConn needs to maximize its advantage in the post and force Alabama to contend with Clingan until it proves it can stop him.
1. Lock In On Defense
The Alabama Crimson Tide are one of the nation’s best offensive teams, and they have continued their stellar production during the NCAA Tournament. Alabama scored 109 points in the first round against Charleston, 72 against Grand Canyon, and then 89 points against North Carolina and Clemson. The Tar Heels and the Tigers were outstanding defensive teams but struggled to contain the speed and perimeter attack of the Crimson Tide. The Connecticut Huskies hang their hats on toughness and defense and have strangled all four of their opponents in the NCAA Tournament. Stetson, San Diego State, and Illinois each scored 52 points, and Northwestern scored 58. This will be UConn’s most challenging test on defense, and they’ll need to continue playing at a high level on that end to reach the national title game.

UConn (-11.5) vs. Alabama - Saturday at 8:49 pm ET

How UConn Can Beat Alabama: 5 Keys to Victory

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