Latrell Wrightsell ruled out for Thursday's Sweet 16 matchup vs. North Carolina
For the third time in four years, Alabama is in the Sweet Sixteen under head coach Nate Oats. North Carolina will be the opponent, hoping to move into the Elite Eight for just the second time in program history. Unfortunately, the Crimson Tide will have to do so without Latrell Wrightsell.
A head injury suffered against Grand Canyon put Wrightsell’s status in jeopardy, with Oats originally calling the guard day-to-day. Right before tip-off, Wrightsell has been ruled out and he will not play on Thursday night in Los Angeles.
Not the news Alabama wanted ahead of the matchup, now having to play without the team’s best three-point shooter.
“Alabama G Latrell Wrightsell is out for the UNC game in Sweet 16 with a head injury, per a UA spokesperson,” Nick Kelly of The Tuscaloosa News said via X.
Wrightsell played in just 11 minutes during Sunday’s second-round game against Grand Canyon. He got four shots up, making just one to finish with two points. A collision near the Alabama bench is what knocked Wrightsell out of the game and for the Sweet Sixteen.
In 30 games this season, Wrightsell is averaging 9.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. While Mark Sears and Aaron Estrada are the team’s main ball handlers the value of Wrightsell is being able to catch and shoot from three. He is over 44% from deep and can light up the scoreboard in a matter of seconds.
Jay Williams puts North Carolina on upset alert vs. Alabama
Alabama has been inconsistent on the defensive end of the floor this season, but the Crimson Tide can score with any team in the country. Up next in the NCAA Tournament, Alabama faces North Carolina, with a spot in the Elite Eight on the line.
ESPN analyst Jay Williams believes that Nate Oats‘ squad is capable of pulling off the upset, if it can get some defensive stops. Williams said Thursday morning on First Take that he has No. 1 seed UNC on upset alert entering the matchup with Alabama.
“I’m going to go North Carolina on upset alert,” Williams said. “This is an Alabama team that plays like an NBA team. Nate Oats, they believe in 3s and layups. That’s it. … There’s no mid-range game. It’s either at the rack or they’re shooting 3s.”