North Dakota Fighting Hawks vs Alabama Crimson Tide Picks and Predictions December 18th 2024

A Unique Homecoming for Grant Nelson

When No. 6 Alabama takes the court against North Dakota on Wednesday in Grand Forks, it won’t just be another game for Crimson Tide forward Grant Nelson. For the 6-foot-11 standout, it’s a rare chance to play in front of family and friends in his home state.

Nelson, a native of Devils Lake, N.D., grew up just 90 miles west of Grand Forks. After three standout seasons at North Dakota State, Nelson transferred to Alabama to further his development and chase bigger basketball goals.

“I’ve got nine siblings and they all got family,” Nelson said. “It’s crazy the amount of people. They gave me a link of my own tickets to send to them, so thankful for that.”

Nelson has been instrumental for Alabama this season, averaging 12.2 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. His return to North Dakota highlights a rare winter road trip for the Crimson Tide, who typically don’t venture into smaller venues like North Dakota’s 3,300-seat Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.

Alabama’s Momentum Heading into Grand Forks

Alabama (8-2) enters the matchup riding high after an 83-75 victory over Creighton on Saturday. Mark Sears stole the show with 27 points, continuing to establish himself as one of the team’s most reliable scorers.

The Crimson Tide are looking to refine their consistency as they prepare for the rigors of SEC play. Coach Nate Oats emphasized the unique nature of the trip, jokingly noting the team’s lack of experience in cold climates:

“We told the guys, make sure they have their winter coats,” Oats said. “I got to go find mine. I never put a winter coat on down here.”

With Nelson’s homecoming as an emotional boost, Alabama will look to leverage its depth and talent to avoid a letdown against the Fighting Hawks.

North Dakota Embraces the Challenge

The North Dakota Fighting Hawks (4-8) are struggling through a tough stretch, having lost three straight games and six of their last seven. Yet, the excitement surrounding Alabama’s visit has energized the team and community.

“This is a cool opportunity,” said North Dakota coach Paul Sather. “You don’t see teams do that very often. It’s our job to compete on every possession and see what happens.”

North Dakota’s offense is led by Treysen Eaglestaff, who is averaging 18.6 points per game and has already tallied six 20-point games this season. Eaglestaff scored 24 points in the team’s most recent game, a 95-85 loss to UTSA on Sunday.

Other key contributors for North Dakota include:

• Dariyus Woodson: 11.6 points per game
• Mier Panoam: 11.3 points per game
• Amar Kuljuhovic: 11.0 points per game

Despite their struggles, the Fighting Hawks are determined to make the most of the opportunity, even if they’re heavy underdogs.

Keys to the Game

For Alabama

1. Control the Paint: With Grant Nelson’s size and versatility, the Crimson Tide should dominate inside.
2. Set the Pace: Alabama’s up-tempo style will put pressure on North Dakota’s defense.
3. Stay Focused: Avoid looking past a smaller program and maintain intensity throughout the game.

For North Dakota

1. Hot Shooting: Eaglestaff and company must hit 3-pointers consistently to keep the game competitive.
2. Limit Turnovers: Alabama thrives on transition opportunities, so North Dakota needs to take care of the ball.
3. Lean on the Crowd: The intimate, packed environment could help create energy and momentum.

Who will cut down the nets? Find out in College Basketball Championship Odds!

A Rare Opportunity for North Dakota Basketball

While the outcome may seem predictable, the atmosphere promises to be electric as North Dakota hosts a top-10 team for the first time in decades. The Fighting Hawks are embracing the challenge of facing a powerhouse program like Alabama, knowing that moments like this don’t come often.

Meanwhile, Alabama is focused on taking care of business in a unique setting as it prepares for the grind of SEC play.

Prediction: Alabama 90, North Dakota 65. The Crimson Tide’s talent and depth should be too much for the Fighting Hawks to handle, even with the added motivation of Grant Nelson’s return.