By Chris Marler and Jacob Hester
All Gas No Brakes Offense
Alabama leads the nation in scoring, averaging 90.8 points per game, and ranks fourth in offensive efficiency. Their fast-paced, run-and-gun style overwhelms many opponents.
📍 Sweet 16 pic.twitter.com/KVPpKnH11Z
— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) March 27, 2025
3-point Shooting
Bama averages 10.2 made three-pointers per game, stretching defenses and creating driving lanes. However, in the tournament, they haven’t made more than seven threes in either of their first two games, and their starters are shooting just 23 percent from beyond the arc at 6-for-26.
BYU, on the other hand, is the worst team in the Sweet 16 for points allowed from three-pointers. Opponents average nearly 27.7 points per game from just three-pointers, ranking 343rd in the country. It’s gotten even worse over their last three games, climbing all the way up to 37 points allowed from deep.
Getting to the line
Alabama has the second-highest percentage of offensive points from free throws, with 28.6 percent of its points scored coming from the line. That ranks 29th nationally and only trails Auburn among the teams left in the tournament.
BYU is the opposite. Only 16 percent of their offensive points come from the stripe, making just 12.9 per game. The Cougars also rank 232nd in the nation in free-throw attempts per game, at just 18.2.
Defensive Vulnerabilities
Alabama allows an average of 81.0 points per game, ranking 346th nationally.
BYU’s very efficient offense ranks 25th in PPG. However, its aggressive offensive focus can leave it exposed defensively. Bama also averages 12.7 turnovers per game, which ranks 271st in D1.
Efficiency on O
BYU ranks ninth nationally in offensive efficiency, with a two-point shooting percentage of 58.4% and a three-point percentage of 37.3%.
Balanced Attack
The Cougars effectively blend inside and outside scoring, making them difficult to defend. They’re not a one-trick pony.
Turnover Issues
BYU has struggled with ball security, which could be problematic against high-pressure defenses. It is 212th in the nation in turning the basketball over.
Defensive Consistency
While capable, the Cougars’ defense has been inconsistent, which could be exploited by Alabama’s potent offense. To put numbers to it, Alabama has the #1 offense in the country, scoring 90.8 ppg, and BYU ranks 168th defensively, giving up 71.6 ppg, advantage Tide.
