March Madness is where legends are made, hearts are broken, and underdogs rise. So far, the 2025 NCAA Tournament hasn’t delivered a true shocker, with all four No. 1 seeds advancing. However, No. 10 seed Arkansas has defied expectations by making it to the Sweet 16, preventing this from being the first tournament since 2007 without a double-digit seed at this stage. That could change in the East Region’s Sweet 16 showdown between No. 2 Alabama (27-8) and No. 6 BYU (26-9)—a matchup packed with potential for something special.

While BYU is in its first Sweet 16 since 2011, Alabama is aiming for its second consecutive Final Four. The upcoming game has the potential to be one of the best offensive battles, featuring two high-octane teams that both rank in the top 10 of KenPom’s offensive efficiency. Their point total of 175.5 is significantly higher than any other Sweet 16 game. So, who’s going to win?

Alabama’s Fast Pace vs. BYU’s Disciplined Play

The Crimson Tide entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed in the East region. While that was expected, their first two wins were nothing short of impressive. After pulling off a 90-81 victory against Robert Morris in their first game, they proceeded to take on No. 7 Saint Mary’s. And once again, they proved they can handle teams that emphasize defense, cruising to an 80-66 win.

Meanwhile, BYU has taken a more circuitous route to the Sweet 16. The No. 6-seeded Cougars took down No. 11 Duquesne 71-67 before shocking No. 3 Illinois in a 73-70 thriller. That victory signaled to the basketball world that BYU isn’t here just to participate—they’re here to compete.

Projected Starting Lineups:

Alabama

1. Labaron Philon(10.5ppg, 3.3rpg)
2. Mark Sears(18.6ppg, 5.0apg)
3. Chris Youngblood(10.0ppg, 2.2rpg)
4. Grant Nelson(11.7ppg, 7.5rpg)
5. Clifford Omoruyi(7.9ppg, 6.7rpg)

BYU:

1. Dawson Baker(7.6ppg, 1.9rpg)
2. Trevin Knell(9.1ppg, 2.3rpg)
3. Richie Saunders(16.3ppg, 4.4rpg)
4. Mihailo Boskovic(3.7ppg, 1.8rpg)
5. Fousseyni Traore(8.7ppg, 5.4rpg)

Both teams have established themselves as offensive powerhouses, but their approaches differ.

Alabama thrives on speed, averaging 91.3 points per game, which ranks first nationally. Their strategy revolves around turning defense into offense and pushing the tempo. Conversely, BYU relies on a structured half-court offense, utilizing screens and ball movement to generate high-percentage shots.

Alabama will try to force turnovers—BYU committed 16 against Illinois—to create fast-break opportunities. So it makes much more sense why Alabama is ranked as the sixth-best team in the KenPom rankings, while also holding the No. 4 spot in offensive efficiency and 29th in defensive efficiency.

But make no mistake—BYU is no pushover. They rank 24th overall in KenPom, boasting the ninth-ranked offense and 71st-ranked defense. They’ll be looking to exploit Alabama’s defense by attacking gaps in the half-court, hoping to turn their disciplined approach into an advantage.

A Three-Point Battle?

Both teams love the three-ball. Alabama attempts 30.1 threes per game, while BYU isn’t far behind at 27.8. The Crimson Tide shoots 36.3% from deep, slightly ahead of BYU, but the Cougars boast elite sharpshooters in Jaxson Robinson (39.1%) and Trevin Knell (38.4%). If one of these marksmen catches fire, it could be a game-changer.

But, Alabama too is one of the most potent offenses in college basketball, leading the nation in scoring. They also play at the fastest pace among power conference teams, according to KenPom. The Crimson Tide’s deep rotation keeps fresh legs on the floor, allowing them to maintain their up-tempo style.

The star of the show is Mark Sears, a preseason First-Team All-American who averages 21.5 points and 4.2 assists per game. Though his three-point percentage has dipped slightly to 36.1% this season, his ability to attack the rim and draw fouls makes him a constant threat. Alabama’s size in the frontcourt, featuring 6’10” Grant Nelson and 6’9” Nick Pringle, will pose a challenge for BYU’s defense.

Defensively, Alabama is solid but not impenetrable. They rank seventh in the SEC in defensive efficiency and focus on limiting opponents’ three-point attempts. However, they struggle to force turnovers, ranking 352nd nationally in defensive turnover percentage. This could work in BYU’s favor, as they prefer a methodical offensive approach.

BYU’s resilience has been on display throughout the tournament, particularly in their upset over Illinois. The Cougars rank in the top 15 in offensive efficiency, and their ability to execute in the half-court makes them a tough matchup for any team. If they can slow the pace and prevent Alabama from turning this into a track meet, they stand a chance at an upset.

This game will be a contrast of styles—Alabama’s high-speed attack versus BYU’s disciplined execution. While Alabama has proven they belong at this stage, BYU’s offensive depth and transition game should give them the edge. Expect a high-scoring affair, with Alabama pulling away late for an 87-78 victory.

Will Alabama continue their march to another Final Four, or can BYU keep up with their pace?  The Sweet 16 showdown promises to be one of the most thrilling matchups of the tournament.