The weekend in college hoops

Good morning! There’s not much better when your basketball and football teams had a big weekend. Enjoy it Indiana.

We’ll dive into what happened with the Hoosiers and a whole lot more.

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1. Alabama a Final Four threat once again?

Nate Oats guided Alabama to the Final Four two years ago and the Elite Eight last season.

He has another championship-caliber team this year.

The Crimson Tide walked into Madison Square Garden on Saturday and won an absolute thriller over the Johnnies, 103-96. Alabama forced the tempo. The result? An 84-possession game track meet.

“They were better,” St. John’s coach Rick Pitino said postgame. “The only time they lose is when you turn them over more than you commit yourself… We could not guard them off the dribble. Very few teams can.”

Labaron Philon (25 points, 3 assists) and Aden Holloway (21 and 4) were sensational. Latrell Wrightsell had 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting in his first game back since his Achilles tear last season. Taylor Bol Bowen was a menace inside with 17 points, nine rebounds and several huge defensive plays.

Not sure if many thought Alabama was a national title contender during the preseason, but the Tide have one of the best backcourts in the country and a clear identity. This has the potential to be yet another phenomenal group under Oats.

2. Another freshman vying for the No. 1 pick…

The race is on for the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, and another freshman has inserted his name into the discussion: North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson.

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