Nate Oats explains how Seth Trimble, Elliot Cadeau changed Alabama's game plan in first half
During the first half against Alabama, North Carolina guards Seth Trimble and Elliot Cadeau caught fire from three-point territory. They combined to go 4-for-5 from downtown through the first 16 minutes of the game, helping keep the Tar Heels in front during a crazy start to the Sweet Sixteen.
In fact, that early showing meant Nate Oats had to change his game plan.
Oats told CBS’ Allie LaForce Alabama had to adjust to Cadeau and Trimble’s early success as Alabama looks to lock up a spot in the Elite Eight. He also said the Crimson Tide had to clamp down on defense and play smart, which means there’s plenty to clean up as the game goes along.
“Cadeau and Trimble are making more threes than they’ve made all year, so we’re going to have to make a little bit of an adjustment,” Oats said. “We were planning to play off them. We can’t give up easy buckets – we just gave up a transition and a foul off a free throw. So we’ve got to eliminate the easy ones, the o-boards, we finally cleaned up our turnovers. They weren’t scoring off our turnovers. Now, we’re gonna have to make a little an adjustment on Cadeau and Trimble.”
North Carolina ended up taking a 54-46 lead into halftime as part of an impressive offensive showing on both sides. The Tar Heels shot 52.6% from the floor, including 10-for-16 from three-point territory, even despite a rough start for R.J. Davis. He made just 1 of 8 shots as he headed to the locker room with just two points.
On the Alabama side, the Crimson Tide shot 48.6% from the field with three players in double figures. Rylan Griffen led the way with 15 points, and Mark Sears was right behind him with 14.
In fact, one of Alabama’s SEC rival coaches thinks Sears could wind up being more important to the Crimson Tide going forward.
“When I had him in camp … too little,” Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said. “He wasn’t gonna be good enough. But what makes this tournament so special is, he starts at Ohio. He does a great job at the mid-major level. And he transfers to Alabama. If Alabama continues to advance in this tournament, it’s because of Mark Sears. And that matchup with him and Davis is gonna be something to watch.
“He can make big shots, he’s an incredible leader, he’s a tough kid. And he’s as good a guard as there is in this tournament.”