LOS ANGELES, CA (WNCN) — The last time the North Carolina and Alabama men’s basketball teams played, one, two and even three overtimes wasn’t enough — they needed four extra periods to settle the score.
That game on Nov. 27, 2022, a high-scoring 103-101 affair won by Alabama, was a battle for third place in the Phil Knight Invitational in Portland, OR. Tonight’s contest has a lot more on the line.
This time, the No. 1 Tar Heels (29-7) and the No. 4 Crimson Tide (23-11) will square off in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament with a berth in the Elite 8 on the line. Tip off in the West regional at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles was originally scheduled for 9:39 p.m. but has been moved back to 9:54 p.m., and the game will be broadcast right here on CBS 17.
Alabama is led by guard Mark Sears, a consensus second team All-American this season. The senior is averaging 26 points, 8 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game over the the Tide’s first two games in the NCAA Tournament. Aaron Estrada has also helped pace the Crimson Tide, averaging 10.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 7 assists so far this postseason.
UNC, of course, is led by Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year and consensus first team all-American RJ Davis. The senior guard is averaging 21 points so far in the NCAA Tournament, while Armando Bacot is averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds per game over the first two games.
The winner will play No. 6 Clemson (24-11), who beat No. 2 Arizona in the earlier game at Crypto.com Arena. The West region Elite 8 game will be Saturday in Los Angeles.