Monday night, say a round of 32 matchups between 2 seed Alabama and 10 seed Maryland. Alabama defeated 15 seed Iona in the first round, 68-55. Maryland was able to defeat 7 seed UConn in the first round, 63-54.
Alabama had an incredible season, posting a 25-6 record and winning the SEC Championship. They are led by Jaden Shackelford and Jahvon Quinerly. Shackelford averages 14.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game; Quinerly provides a spark off the bench for Alabama, averaging 12.6 points per game.
Maryland’s season had ups and downs as they posted a 17-13 record. Eric Ayala and Aaron Wiggins lead the way for them. Ayala averages 15.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per contest. Wiggins averages 14.0 points as well as 5.8 rebounds.
First Half
The first half was a battle between the two teams. Maryland jumped out to a quick 11-5 lead over Alabama, just 5 minutes into the game. This trend would not keep up. Alabama would quickly take control of the game and never look back. Alabama took the lead 25-22 after an Alex Reese three-point shot at the 9:31 mark and would not trail again.
Both squads shot well in the first. Alabama shot 51.5% from the field, Maryland shot a bit worse at 50%. With the shooting being so close, the difference-maker was rebounding. Alabama was able to outrebound Maryland 20-10. Going into the half, Alabama held a 46-38 lead.
Reese had a big first half of the bench for Alabama. He scored 11 points and grabbed 3 rebounds. Quinerly also came up big off the bench, scoring 7 grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 9 assists. Shackleford scored 8 points in the first.
Maryland’s duo of Ayala and Wiggins both played well in the first. Wiggins scored 13, grabbed 3 rebounds, and recorded 3 assists. Ayala scored 9 and grabbed 4 rebounds.
Second Half
Alabama took an 8-point lead into the break and never looked back. They would expand their lead to as much as 23 points in the second half. Most of the trends from the first half would stay the same in the second. Both teams would finish shooting above 50%. This also meant Alabama continued to outrebound Maryland. Alabama finished with 40 rebounds while Maryland only grabbed 19. Maryland couldn’t overcome the huge rebound difference and would fall to Alabama 96-77.
Alabama’s Jaden Shackelford finished the game with 21 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. John Petty Jr. Scored 20 and grabbed 6 rebounds. Quinerly built off his strong first half, finishing with a double-double off the bench. He recorded 14 points, 11 assists, and even grabbed 5 rebounds.
Aaron Wiggins refused to quit in this one, finishing with 27 points and 6 rebounds in the Maryland loss. Ayala had a quiet second half, finishing with 13 points and 6 rebounds. The blowout loss will bring an end to Maryland’s season.
With the win, Alabama will advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2004, where they will face 11 seed UCLA.
