Alabama basketball is in the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season under coach Nate Oats, this time trying to score a win over North Carolina in an NCAA Tournament matchup Thursday (8:39 p.m. CT, CBS). The Crimson Tide escaped the Spokane, Washington, pod with two March Madness victories over Charleston and Grand Canyon.
The Tar Heels opened their run in the tournament with wins against Wagner and Michigan State in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Check back here during the game for live score updates.
Alabama vs North Carolina live score updates in Sweet 16 bracket
FINAL: Alabama 89, North Carolina 87 | The Crimson Tide beats the Tar Heels
Alabama is heading to the Elite Eight for the second time in program history. Grant Nelson’s final stat line: 24 points, 12 rebounds, five blocks, an assist and a steal.
FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA tournament brackets, scores, schedules, teams and more.
Alabama 82, North Carolina 77 with 3:35 remaining in the second half | Grant Nelson taking the game over
Grant Nelson has scored the game’s last seven points to give the Crimson Tide a five-point lead. He’s got 19 points and 12 rebounds.
North Carolina 70, Alabama 67 with 8:10 remaining in the second half | Teams trading blows as crunch time approaches
UNC went on a 11-3 run to take a six-point lead, but a 3-pointer from Rylan Griffen pulls the Crimson Tide within a possession. Alabama coach Nate Oats called a timeout after Griffen’s shot went down.
Alabama 59, North Carolina 59 with 11:55 remaining in the second half | All knotted up approaching midway point of second half
The Crimson Tide enjoyed a 7-0 run before Harrison Ingram got a layup to go down. Mark Sears leads the game with 16 points.
North Carolina 55, Alabama 52 with 15:30 remaining in the second half | Cold start for the Crimson Tide, Tar Heels
Alabama has missed all but two of its first eight shot attempts to begin the second half. North Carolina has missed all nine. The Crimson Tide is averaging .800 points per possession since returning from the break.
HALFTIME: North Carolina 54, Alabama 46
UNC closes the final 2:47 of the first half on an 11-2 run. Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan combined to hit three triples over the swing. Rylan Griffen heads into the break with a game-high 15 points.
Alabama 44, North Carolina 43 with 2:56 remaining in the first half | Pace picks up to a frantic level
Rylan Griffen has scored the last eight for Alabama. Seven players across both teams have at least eight points in a game that’s quickly turned into an offensive show.
Alabama 32, North Carolina 31 with 7:43 remaining in the first half | Triples falling often for both sides
It’s a 3-point barrage for both teams. The two squads have combined to knock down 10 of their 18 attempts from beyond the arc. Mark Sears continues to impress; he’s got 12 points in 12 minutes.
North Carolina 21, Alabama 17 with 11:56 remaining in the first half | Mark Sears and Grant Nelson keeping UA in it
Mark Sears and Grant Nelson are keeping Alabama within striking distance, each with five points. Nelson also has five rebounds. North Carolina will be shooting two free throws when the action resumes.
North Carolina 12, Alabama 7 with 15:47 remaining in the first half | Crimson Tide sloppy with the basketball early
The Tar Heels are out to an early five-point lead courtesy of the current 8-0 run they find themselves in over the last 1:42. Alabama has already turned the ball over four times.
What channel is Alabama vs North Carolina on today? How to watch, stream live
- TV channel: CBS
- Stream: NCAA March Madness Live app | Fubo
Alabama will tip off vs. North Carolina on CBS. Streaming options include the NCAA March Madness Live app and Fubo, which offers a free trial. Announcers for the game are Brian Anderson, Jim Jackson and Allie LaForce.
Alabama vs North Carolina start time, TV info, location
- Start time: Approximately 8:39 p.m. CT
- TV info: CBS
- Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California.
Alabama vs North Carolina preview
Alabama: A 3-point shooting team that strives when pushing the pace, the Crimson Tide is capable of knocking off any opponent in the country if its shots are falling from deep.
North Carolina: The Tar Heels are led by senior guard RJ Davis, who is averaging 21.3 points on 43.6% shooting. Other key contributors include fifth-year big man Armando Bacot, junior forward Harrison Ingram and Notre Dame transfer Cormac Ryan.
Team vs Team odds, betting line, spread
Odds according to BetMGM as of Thursday morning.
- Spread: North Carolina (-4.5)
- Over/under: 173.5
- Moneyline: Alabama +155, North Carolina -190
Alabama vs North Carolina prediction, game picks
North Carolina 88, Alabama 83: “If the guards perform like they did against Grand Canyon, the Crimson Tide will have a shot. Pair its usual good shooting with that kind of defensive effort, and Alabama can upset UNC. However, the Tar Heels will present more of an offensive threat than Grand Canyon did. And the UNC defense is also elite. The Crimson Tide will give the Tar Heels a tough game, but in the end, UNC outlasts Alabama for the victory.” – Alabama beat writer Nick Kelly.
Alabama vs North Carolina injury updates
Alabama: Senior guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. is day to day with a head injury.
North Carolina: N/A
Alabama vs North Carolina stats
Alabama
- PPG: 90.7
- PPG allowed: 80.9
- FG% 47.7%
- 3PT%: 36.7%
- KenPom ranking: No. 14
North Carolina
- PPG: 81.8
- PPG allowed: 70
- FG% 45.3%
- 3PT%: 35.8%
- KenPom ranking: No. 9
Alabama vs North Carolina championship odds
Odds according to BetMGM as of Thursday morning:
ALABAMA: +4000
NORTH CAROLINA: +1100
Alabama basketball schedule 2023-24
The past five games of Alabama’s 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here
| March 24 | 72-61 W vs. Grand Canyon (NCAA Tournament) |
| March 22 | 109-96 W vs. Charleston (NCAA Tournament) |
| March 15 | 102-88 L vs. Florida (SEC Tournament) |
| March 9 | 82-88 win vs. Arkansas |
| March 5 | 105-87 L at Florida |
North Carolina basketball schedule 2023-24
The past five games of North Carolina’s 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here
| March 23 | 85-69 W vs. Michigan State (NCAA Tournament) |
| March 21 | 90-62 W vs. Wagner (NCAA Tournament) |
| March 16 | 84-76 L vs. North Carolina State (ACC Tournament) |
| March 15 | 72-65 W vs. Pittsburgh (ACC Tournament) |
| March 14 | 92-67 W vs. Florida State (ACC Tournament) |
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