The Battle on the Court - Alabama vs North Dakota
Game Overview
Coach Nate Oats emphasized the significance of taking care of their guys before Wednesday's game. For Nelson, giving loved ones in Devils Lake the chance to see him play was a heartwarming moment. With a more balanced roster at UA (8-2), it remains to be seen if he can replicate his career-best 36-point performance against the then-rival Fighting Hawks.
The energy of a packed-out 3,000-seat venue like the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center could potentially be the boost Nelson needs to achieve his third double-double of the year. The crowd noise and excitement are expected to add an extra layer of intensity to the game.
Player Performances
Off the board, there were rumors of Alabama basketball making a $5M offer to No. 1 recruit AJ Dybantsa. AD Greg Byrne's reaction added to the intrigue surrounding the team.
Nelson's homecoming was a special occasion. North Dakota was not only excited for his arrival but also for the entire Crimson Tide. Coach Paul Sather commended Oats and UA for making the long trip up north to play against the Summit League member.
After a historic victory against Creighton on Saturday, Alabama entered the last road game of its non-conference schedule. Chris Youngblood fought back for the trailing Crimson Tide, finding his groove after an ankle injury. With about seven minutes to halftime and UA trailing UND by five points, Youngblood took over as the team's scoring leader with two three-pointers, stacking up eight points.
However, Alabama faced foul trouble midway through the first half. Clifford Omoruyi picked up two fouls in about 15 seconds, putting UA in a difficult position with less than 10 minutes to go. UA's eighth turnover led to Amar Kuljuhovic draining a 3-point jumper, giving UND a 24-18 lead.
Treysen Eaglestaff surged UND ahead of Alabama basketball. Averaging 18.6 points per game on the season, Eaglestaff led the Fighting Hawks to a 7-point lead over Alabama with less than 12 minutes to halftime. He was shooting 4-for-6 and had totaled nine points.
Scoring drought struck Alabama basketball at North Dakota. At the 13-minute mark, the team hadn't scored in nearly three minutes. Behind by three, UA was 3-for-12 from the field and 0-8 from the arc, with Grant Nelson leading with four points.
UND's transition game and Alabama's turnovers saw the Crimson Tide off to a rocky start. With 16 minutes to halftime, North Dakota led Alabama 11-6 after going on a 7-0 run in about 30 seconds due to big-time defensive rebounds and too many UA turnovers.
Starting Lineups
The starting five for Alabama looked a little different. Freshman guard Labaron Philon came off the bench as Oats ran one guard in Mark Sears. Joining Sears to start were forwards Grant Nelson, Jarin Stevenson, and freshman Derrion Reid, along with center Clifford Omoruyi.
North Dakota's starting five consisted of guards Eli King, Mier Panoam, and top-scorer Treyson Eaglestaff, along with forward Deng Mayar and center Amar Kuljuhovic.
Game Details
North Dakota and the Betty welcomed Alabama for an 8 p.m. tipoff on Wednesday. The game was broadcast on CBS Sports Network, and it could also be streamed through Fubo, Hulu, and YouTube TV.
ESPN's matchup predictor anticipated a 98.3% chance of UA defeating North Dakota. With UND on a three-game losing streak, including back-to-back losses to UTSA, the Fighting Hawks had their work cut out for them if they wanted to upset the Crimson Tide.
Nelson's 5-1 record against UND before having a stacked squad like UA added to the pressure on the opposing team.
Next Five Games
After facing North Dakota on Wednesday, Alabama had the following next five games:
Dec. 22: Kent State, 12 p.m. CT
Dec. 29: South Dakota State, 2 p.m. CT
Jan. 4: Oklahoma, 5 p.m. CT
Jan. 8: at South Carolina, 6 p.m. CT
Jan. 11: at Texas A&M, 7 p.m. CT
North Dakota also had their next five matchups:
Dec. 20: South Dakota Mines, 7 p.m. CT
Dec. 29: Waldorf (Iowa), 2 p.m. CT
Jan. 2: Omaha, 7 p.m. CT
Jan. 4: St. Thomas, 1 p.m. CT
Jan. 9: at Denver, 8 p.m. CT