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Tonight's second game of the Sweet Sixteen features the powerful Michigan Wolverines versus the dangerous Alabama Crimson Tide. Michigan seems to be rounding into form after dominant victories during the first and second rounds of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. However, the Wolverines better be ready for an Alabama team that will shoot itself into, out of and back into games. This game has a sneaky feel to me. Make the jump to read some connections, memories, and a final prediction for Alabama versus Michigan. * Note: I will be doing live running reactions of the Michigan-Alabama game.
Game #54: (4) Alabama vs. (1) Michigan, 6:30 p.m. CT on TBS
How Alabama and Michigan Arrived at the Sweet Sixteen
Both Alabama and Michigan cruised during the opening weekend. The Crimson Tide shot the lights out against #13 Hofstra and #5 Texas Tech while the Wolverines bullied #16 Howard and #9 St. Louis, which actually played a decent game but just couldn't compete with Michigan's size.
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Alabama's Ideal Path to the Final Four
- Stun Michigan with out-of-this-Earth three-point shooting.
- Avoid Iowa State.
- Defeat Tennessee.
Michigan's Ideal Path to the Final Four
- Dominate Alabama down low.
- Avoid Iowa State.
- Outphysical Tennessee.
NCAA Tournament Memories of Alabama versus Michigan
Michigan and Alabama have never played against each other during the NCAA Tournament, though there is a connection. When I think of these two programs being linked in the NCAA Tournament, I go back to 1990, when both Michigan and Alabama lost to upstart Loyola Marymount following the death of star Hank Gathers earlier that season. During an improbable run to the Elite Eight, Paul Westhead's Lions put on an offensive clinic while knocking out defending national champion Michigan in the second round. Loyola Marymount then beat an Alabama team featuring Robert Horry during a grinder of a Sweet Sixteen game before losing to eventual national champion UNLV in the Elite Eight. The sight of LMU star Bo Kimble shooting free throws with his left hand in memory of Gathers is one of the great moments in NCAA Tournament history.
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Memorable Alabama Sweet 16 Game: The Tide Defeat UNC
Alabama is entering its fourth straight Sweet Sixteen under Nate Oats, who is seeking a third-straight Elite Eight. Two years ago, #4 Alabama took out #1 North Carolina during a thrilling 89-87 victory in the Sweet Sixteen. Prior to Alabama being a Sweet Sixteen staple under Oats, the Crimson Tide had a memorable Sweet Sixteen victory against defending national champion Syracuse during the 2004 NCAA Tournament. As a #8 seed, that Alabama team stunned Stanford in the second round, took out the Cuse and then lost to eventual national champion UCONN in the Elite Eight.
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Memorable Michigan Sweet 16 Game: Wolverines Rally against KU
Michigan Head Coach Dusty May has the Wolverines in the Sweet Sixteen for the second time in two seasons. Last season Michigan played #1 Auburn quite tough before eventually falling. Personally, one of my favorite Sweet Sixteen games involving Michigan occurred during the 2013 NCAA Tournament, when the #4 Wolverines stormed back late, including a deep Trey Burke three, to stun the #1 Jayhawks in overtime. I remember being on spring break and going fishing with my Dad on this day. We got back just in time to watch this game, and I was thrilled to see the Wolverines win as John Beilein is one of my favorite coaches of all time.
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Prediction: Michigan Is Too Much for Alabama to Handle
Like Wisconsin, Alabama is a team that profiles to give Michigan problems with its ability to space the floor and hit threes. If there is one coach I would not want to play against in the Sweet Sixteen, especially as a lower seed, it's Nate Oats and his Alabama teams. While the Crimson Tide can keep this game close, Dusty May is too good of a coach. He knows where his team's bread is buttered, and that's inside. Michigan will wear out Alabama with its ultra-talented front line and advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
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