Yahoo Autos 5 things Alabama basketball fans should know about San Diego State
The Sweet 16 is officially set for the 2023 NCAA Tournament and Nate Oats and the Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball team will be taking on the Aztecs of San Diego State on Friday in Lousiville.
Alabama has defeated Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Maryland to get to the Sweet 16 while San Diego State has taken down Charleston and Furman in the first two rounds.
The matchup between Alabama and San Diego State will take place on Friday, March 24 at 5:30 p.m. CT on TBS. The winner of that matchup will take on the winner of Princeton and Creighton.
Before things tipoff on Friday between the Tide and Aztecs, let’s take a look at five things Alabama fans should know about San Diego State.
The Aztecs lost a close one to Arkansas earlier this season
Russell Lansford-USA TODAY Sports
Back in November, San Diego State matched up with Arkansas in the “Maui Jim Maui Invitational” in Hawaii and the Aztecs lost a close one to the Razorbacks in overtime 78-74.
The Aztecs went 2-2 against Power Five schools this season
Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images
San Diego State played just four games against Power Five schools this season and would split those matchups. The Aztecs defeated Stanford and Ohio State while losing to Arizona and Arkansas.
San Diego State has a veteran lineup
Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
The Aztecs will bring a wealth of experience to the Sweet 16 matchup against Alabama. San Diego State’s starting lineup consists of four seniors and one junior. A stark contrast to Alabama’s young lineup.
San Diego State is elite defensively
Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
San Diego State is a long and athlete team and is also one of the best defensive teams in the country. The Aztecs rank fifth in defensive efficiency according to Ken Pom and will be a great challenge for the Alabama offense.
First ever matchup between Alabama and San Diego State
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
After tons of research, I have come to the conclusion that Alabama and San Diego State have never met up on the hardwood. That makes the Sweet 16 matchup between the two that much more interesting!
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