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Alabama State
RECORD: 22-9 REGION: South SEED: 16
COACH: Rob Spivery CONFERENCE: SWAC |
RESULTS| STATS | HISTORY | MESSAGE BOARD
Road to the Final Four.............................................................................................
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Alabama State has one of the toughest matchups of any No. 16 seed, going against Michigan State. SWAC teams rarely have enough size and strength to compete with an elite-level team. Alvin Pettway, at 6-foot-9, and Tyrone Levett, at 6-5, have decent size and posted solid scoring and rebounding numbers, but the depth will be a factor in the second half and prevent the Hornets from pulling off an upset over the defending champion Spartans. | | | Team Statistics | | | TEAM |
| Points Per Game |
69.5 |
| Rebounds Per Game |
33.8 |
| Assists Per Game |
13.6 |
| Steals Per Game |
8.4 |
| Blocks Per Game |
3.3 |
| Turnovers Per Game |
16.5 |
| Field Goal % |
.447 |
| Free Throw % |
.663 |
| 3-Point % |
.329 |
| 3-Pointers Per Game |
5.0 |
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| Scoring Margin |
6.3 |
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How They Got Here
It wasn't easy, but the Hornets joined the list of SWAC champions this season. With all five returners starting, it was expected to be a good season in Montgomery. But the SWAC is anything but predictable.
But after winning the regular season title, the Hornets backed it up by beating Alcorn State for a third time this season in the title game. Experience certainly helped Alabama State put together a 12-2 finish to the regular season and then win three straight in the conference tournament.
In their only taste of NCAA-like competition, the Hornets were manhandled by Alabama 82-56. They also lost by 46 at TCU in Game 2. But hey, why spoil the fun? They're dancing.
Player to Watch
Tyrone Levett has been scoring since he arrived on campus. The 6-5 forward led the Hornets in scoring last season and put in 15.7 points a game this season.
With the Ball
With all five starters having returned from last season, the offense figured to run smoother. It didn't. While a little more quicker, it still ranked seventh in the SWAC. Levett and Alvin Petway lead the way, while guard Joey Ball also can put up points in a pinch.Defending the Ball
Since the offense isn't going to outscore teams, the Hornets won with defense -- at least in the SWAC, where they held teams to just under 64 points a game. The next-best team allowed 74.7, which shows defense does win championships -- even in the SWAC.
Bracketology Report
1985-2000:
Alabama State joins the list of NCAA virgins this year and will attempt
to become only the second SWAC team to win a tournament game since the
bracket expanded to 64 teams in 1985. No doubt No. 4 Georgia Tech
remembers its SWAC attack, falling to No. 13 Southern in a West Region
first-round game in 1993. The SWAC is just 4-20 all-time in NCAA play.
Roster
NCAA Basketball Championship Week
It's March, which means the madness has started and invitations are being reserved throughout Championship Week.
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