Preview: Alabama vs. Colorado

The Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball team is in New York to face Colorado in the NIT. Below are two videos and a few select quotes from Alabama basketball coach Anthony Grant.

update: Here is another video with interviews with Alabama players in New York

VIDEO: Alabama plays Colorado in a neutral site game

VIDEO: Alabama and Colorado making the most out of the NIT. The video features interviews with both Alabama’s coach and Colorado’s coach.

According to the official release from Alabama, “Fellow No. 1 seed Colorado travels to New York with an offense that ranks in 11th in the nation in scoring at 80.1 points per game with Alec Burks averaging 20.5 points per game to rank 18th nationally in scoring. He is also one of just four players in the nation to average more than 20 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.5 assist per game.”

Some comments from Anthony Grant:
“They’re very explosive and over the course of the season they averaged about 80 points a game and have some very explosive scorers,” Alabama Crimson Tide coach Anthony Grant said of the Tide’s next opponent. “Our goal will be to try and get as prepared as we can and understand what we need to do from a defensive standpoint to have success and then offensively, attack their defenses. For us it will be the same as it has been all year.”

Also from Grant:
“It’s one of the greatest atmospheres in college basketball to be able to play in the Garden,” UA head coach Anthony Grant said. “Our guys are excited about the opportunity to play in the Garden and what’s at stake – a chance to play for a championship. When you look at the history and the great players and great teams in the NIT, to have the opportunity to compete for a championship – I’m excited about it and I know our guys are as well.”

According to Colorado’s official website, “CU and ‘Bama have had three common opponents this season. The Tide defeated Georgia to end the regular season (65-57) and again to open the league’s postseason tourney (65-59, OT). UGA beat visiting CU 83-74 in the Buffs’ second game. New Mexico, one of the three teams Alabama defeated in the NIT to reach New York (74-67), beat CU 89-76 in the Las Vegas Classic. Oklahoma State, which lost to CU in Boulder (75-71), defeated Alabama 68-60 in a holiday tournament in Oklahoma City.”