Focused Terps Have Belief – University of Maryland Athletics

Alabama is coming off its best regular season in program history and an SEC tournament championship in Nashville.

Home to the best freshman in college basketball, Brandon Miller, and a cast of players who have run teams out of the gym with their perimeter shooting.

“They have a ton of length one through five,” graduate student Patrick Emilien said. “So just being aware of that and knowing they’re going to have that extra step, and they’re all three-point shooters, too. So really just emphasizing that they’re going to be more athletic likely, and they can shoot the ball. So we’re just going to have to be gritty and stop them.”

While not the best in the country at shooting the three, Alabama is in the top 10 in the country in made three-pointers a game and top-5 in three-point attempts per game.

That formula for success worked wonders against the Terps in Indianapolis, a recipe they look to stop this time.

“The funny thing about this (Alabama) roster is, I think this is the most talented roster I’ve seen in college basketball since the 92-93 Kentucky team,” head coach Kevin Willard said. “I think Coach Pitino’s team — with Antoine Walker, Walter McCarty. This team reminds me of that team with the length, athleticism, how unselfish they play, very similar point guards.

“So it’s a talented roster, and I think what I’m really impressed with them — I’ve watched their last four games now — is how unselfish they are. They really pass the basketball. It’s not a complicated offense, but it’s a good offense because they’re unselfish.”