The last meeting between the UNC basketball program and Alabama was a WILD one

Going into Thursday night’s Sweet 16 matchup, the UNC basketball program is 8-5 all-time against the Alabama Crimson Tide. The last time these two squared off, it was one for the record books but one Tar Heel fans would like to forget.

In 2022, North Carolina entered the Phil Knight Invitational Tournament as preseason No. 1 and a favorite to win the National Championship after falling just short in 2021. We all know that was not the case, and North Carolina's season fell into shambles. A loss to Alabama could have been what started that downfall.

Looking for an early-season Quad 1 win in 2022, North Carolina put up quite the fight against Alabama. Armando Bacot had a 20-point, 10-rebound performance to go along with 34 points from Caleb Love and 20 points from R.J. Davis. Seeing these numbers makes you wonder how North Carolina lost the game.

This contest went into four overtimes, and the final score was 103-101, with Alabama coming out on top. The difference in the game was that Bama made 16 three-point field goals and outrebounded the Tar Heels. These are two aspects of the game that North Carolina has improved between then and now.

However, as we head into the Sweet 16, do not be surprised if Thursday’s game is a lot like the last matchup. These are two fast teams that want to get out in transition and put up high numbers on the scoreboard.

Hubert Davis makes it very clear that he does not like to compare this team to teams of the past, but a film from November 17, 2022, could benefit this squad. Look for seniors Armando Bacot and R.J. Davis to enter Thursday night with a chip on their shoulder and seek revenge from the four-overtime marathon in 2022.