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San Diego State Basketball: 3 keys to beat Alabama in Sweet 16 matchup

By Tommy McGowan

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 23: Matt Bradley #20 of the San Diego State Aztecs drives the baseline as he is guarded by Ricky Council IV #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half of the game during the Maui Invitational at Lahaina Civic Center on November 23, 2022 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 23: Matt Bradley #20 of the San Diego State Aztecs drives the baseline as he is guarded by Ricky Council IV #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half of the game during the Maui Invitational at Lahaina Civic Center on November 23, 2022 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /
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San Diego State Basketball
San Diego State Basketball  Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

After the first weekend of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, two No. 1 seeds remain, including the nation’s top overall seed, the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tide have rolled past their first two opponents of the Big Dance, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Maryland, but now face their toughest challenge yet: San Diego State Basketball.

The Aztecs won both the Mountain West regular season title and the league’s tournament, earning them a five spot in the South Region. Although Brian Dutcher’s club hasn’t been quite as dominant as the Tide over their first two wins, both were still impactful wins.

San Diego State held off 31-win Charleston in the first round, 63-57, their first NCAA Tournament victory since 2015. But, the win over 13-seed Furman two days later was arguably more impressive. The Paladins came into the matchup riding high after their shocking last-second win over Virginia, but SDSU controlled things from start to finish and cemented a 23-point victory.

Still, finding a way to overcome the Crimson Tide represents a stiff challenge for Dutcher and the Aztecs. The Tide have lost just five games on the season and boast one of the country’s premier stars in Brandon Miller, even if the freshman phenom is not 100 percent due to a groin injury suffered in the SEC Tournament.

It will take a full effort from the Aztecs over 40 minutes to sink Alabama’s National Titles hopes, but it’s not impossible. With the right strategies and pieces in place, it’s not crazy to think San Diego State could come out on top this Friday in Louisville.