Alabama Basketball at North Carolina

Last college basketball season was full of unforgettable games and moments, and the Sweet 16 matchup between first-seeded North Carolina and fourth-seeded Alabama was among the best of the best.

At halftime, Alabama forward Grant Nelson trailed by eight players. He helped lead the Crimson Tide to an 89-87 victory by posting a stunning 24 points, 12 rebounds and a monstrous stat line of five blocks.

However, this was a neutral duel in Los Angeles, California. These two renowned programs will meet again on Wednesday, but this time the Tar Heels will be the hosts. Alabama has had one real road game so far in the young season, losing to then-No. 13 Purdue 87-78.

Can the Crimson Tide even improve on their road record in the hostile environment of Chapel Hill?

WHO: No. 9 Alabama (6-2, 0-0 SEC) vs. No. 12 North Carolina (4-3, 0-0 ACC)

When: Wednesday, December 4, 6:15 p.m. CT.

Where: Dean E. Smith Center, Chapel Hill, NC

radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Play-by-Play: Chris Stewart, Color: Bryan Passink). The pregame show begins one hour before the start of the game.

TV: ESPN

series against North Carolina: Alabama is behind 7-6, the first duel took place on February 28, 1922

Last meeting with North Carolina: Fourth-seeded Alabama immediately defeated No. 1 seed North Carolina 89-87 in a classic Sweet 16 matchup last season. Perhaps Crimson Tide forward Grant Nelson’s breakthrough moment came that night, as he dropped 24 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks. At halftime, Alabama trailed by eight points, but the shots from guards Rylen Griffen (19 points), Aaron Estrada (19) and Mark Sears (18) were also crucial to the result.

Last time in Alabama: The Crimson Tide lost to Oregon 81-75 in the Players Era Festival Championship in Las Vegas. There’s a strong argument to be made that Alabama’s biggest setback was turnovers, as it committed 15 turnovers, which wasn’t much of an improvement over the Tide’s previous game (20 turnovers) in a narrow 90-85 win over Rutgers. Alabama opened the first NIL event with a thrilling 85-80 overtime victory over No. 6 Houston.

The last time was North Carolina: Like Alabama, the Tar Heels competed in a neutral event early in the season, the Maui Invitational. North Carolina defeated Dayton 92-90 in the first round but fell to No. 4 Auburn 85-72. Additionally, the Tar Heels lost to Michigan State 94-91 in the third-place game to finish in fourth place.