Alabama showed everyone how dangerous it can be with a 90-point outing in a blowout win over Texas Tech to reach the Sweet 16, something Michigan basketball should take note of.
The Crimson Tide made 19 3-pointers. 11 of those came in the first half. Latrell Wrightsell went off, which is nothing new. He averages 2.8 3-point field goals per game on 8.8 attempts (on average). That's 36.7 percent.
Wrightsell is one of six Alabama players who average at least one 3-point field goal per game and shoot at least 30 percent from beyond the arc. Aden Holloway is another. He shot 43.8 percent this season with an average of 2.6 makes per game.
There is a chance he could play after a recent arrest. It will make an impact if he does. It won't change the way Alabama plays, though. The Tide are going to jack up a ton of threes. They made 12.8 per game, which is second in all of college basketball. Alabama also attempts more 3-pointers than any other team, and is ranked 62nd in 3-point percentage (36.1).
Alabama ranks 333rd in 2-point shot attempts. All five players on the floor will be able to shoot, and they will shoot at will. Alabama might attempt 40 3-pointers in this game. If the Tide makes 15 or more, it could be trouble.
How Michigan decides to use Aday Mara and defend the perimeter will be fascinating. Either way, Alabama's 3-point makes are a major X-factor in this game. If the Tide has a big edge in points from 3-point field goals, it could be the recipe for an upset.
Alabama has weaknesses it needs to worry about against Michigan
However, the Tide have some glaring weaknesses, too. One of those is offensive rebounds.
Alabama ranks 364th in offensive rebounds allowed per game (13.8). Michigan scored 95 points, at least in both NCAA Tournament games. The Wolverines' offense was deadly.
Michigan should be able to carry that over against Alabama. The Tide has the No. 60 adjusted defense, according to KenPom. Michigan's offense is sixth, certainly good enough to exploit Alabama's defense. But when it misses, if Michigan has an offensive rebounding rate of 40 percent or close, it will be game over.
Combine the poor defensive rebounding and Alabama's inability to force turnovers, another category where it ranks 340th, and it's a recipe for disaster against Michigan. It means, hypothetically, Michigan is getting a decent shot attempt almost every time down the floor, sometimes two.
The Wolverines also shot better than 46 percent from deep in both games. If that continues, they might score 100 against Alabama, so even if the Tide make 20 threes, it might not matter.