Final Four preview: UConn, Alabama loaded with firepower

The road to the Final Four couldn't have been any more different for UConn and Alabama.

The Huskies are steamrolling through the competition for a second straight year, posting an average margin of victory of 27.8 points.

Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide have endured some close encounters, including a pair of double-digit rallies in the last two rounds.

But all of that goes out the window in a single-elimination tournament, where one bad day can end a school's national championship hopes.

Here's how the two sides stack up ahead of their showdown Saturday evening in Phoenix.

UConn

How they got here

Record: 35-3 (18-2 in Big East)
Pre-tourney AP Poll ranking: 1st
NCAA Tournament seed: No. 1 in East Region

First round: UConn 91, No. 16 Stetson 52
Second round: UConn 75, No. 9 Northwestern 58
Sweet 16: UConn 82, No. 5 San Diego State 52
Elite Eight: UConn 77, No. 3 Illinois 52

Key stats

Assist-to-turnover ratio: 1.91 (1st)
Opponent field-goal percentage: 39% (6th)
eFG%: 57% (9th)
BPG: 5.4 (11th)
Adjusted offensive efficiency: 126.6 points per 100 possessions (1st)
Adjusted defensive efficiency: 91.5 points per 100 possessions (4th)

Star players

Donovan Clingan

Clingan was named to the Wooden Award's preseason watch list after showing promise as Adama Sanogo's backup last season. A pair of foot injuries earlier in the campaign halted the 7-foot-2 sophomore's development, but he's played up to the heightened expectations in the second half of the schedule. Over Clingan's last 13 appearances, the future lottery pick is averaging 14.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, and 1.7 assists.

He's a game-changer on both ends with his brute force in the paint, rim protection, and ability to defend in space against guards. In the Round of 32, Clingan joined David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players with at least 14 points, 14 rebounds, and eight blocks in an NCAA Tournament contest, per Steve Megargee of The Associated Press. Two games later, Illinois went scoreless on 19 shots contested by Clingan, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

Tristen Newton

Newton's return for a fifth collegiate season was a significant boost for Dan Hurley's squad. The Wooden Award finalist has excelled as UConn's lead guard, tallying 15 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per contest. His four career triple-doubles - including two this season - are the most by a Power 5 conference player since Shaquille O'Neal. Newton also became the first Huskies player to earn first-team All-American honors since Shabazz Napier in 2014.

Newton's elite size for his position has been an asset when attacking the rim and defending opposing floor generals. He's shown the ability to both score and create out of the pick-and-roll. While UConn possesses a balanced offensive attack, Newton's the one player on the roster that can single-handedly take over a game with his shotmaking.

Cam Spencer

Spencer's addition was badly needed after the Huskies lost Jordan Hawkins to the NBA. The Rutgers transfer has been a seamless replacement for the New Orleans Pelicans guard, providing UConn with a similar movement shooter. Spencer's only a few percentage points shy of becoming the first player in Division I history to post 50/40/90 shooting splits and a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio in the same season, per statistician Jared Berson.

But the fifth-year player has been more than just an outside threat. Spencer has been a solid secondary playmaker and impact defender, consistently making smart basketball plays. He's acted as an extension of Hurley on the court, setting the tone for the Huskies with his competitive spirit.

X-factor

Hassan Diarra's raw numbers don't illustrate his full impact on the game. There have been plenty of times this season where the senior guard's improved 3-point shooting, playmaking, or stifling on-ball defense has provided a lift. His various contributions off the bench earned him Big East Sixth Man of the Year honors. It's been more of the same during the Big Dance, but expect Diarra's defense to be front and center in the Final Four as UConn looks to contain Alabama's bevy of perimeter threats.

Reason for concern

UConn has drained only 28.1% of its attempts from downtown during the NCAA Tournament, including a 3-of-22 performance in the second round versus Northwestern. Sophomore forward Alex Karaban has notably struggled, knocking down just 26.3% of his threes. While the Huskies haven't been burned for it yet, the Crimson Tide can make them pay with their arsenal of sharpshooters. Creighton drilled 14 triples in its upset of UConn on Feb. 20, and Alabama is more than capable of replicating that formula. Nate Oats' team is averaging 12 threes per game during the Big Dance.

Alabama

How they got here

Record: 25-11 (13-5 in SEC)
Pre-tourney AP Poll ranking: 19th
NCAA Tournament seed: No. 4 in West Region

First round: Alabama 109, No. 13 Charleston 96
Second round: Alabama 72, No. 12 Grand Canyon 61
Sweet 16: Alabama 89, No. 1 North Carolina 87
Elite Eight: Alabama 89, No. 6 Clemson 82

Key stats

Threes per game: 11.2 (2nd)
Free throws made: 17.8 (8th)
eFG%: 56.3% (11th)
RPG: 39.9 (18th)
Fast-break points: 14.1 (23rd)
Adjusted offensive efficiency: 125.8 points per 100 possessions (3rd)

Star players

Mark Sears

Sears was given the keys to Alabama's offense following the offseason departures of Brandon Miller and Jahvon Quinerly. The Ohio transfer has fully capitalized on the opportunity, ranking ninth in the NCAA in 3-point percentage (43.4%), 11th in scoring (21.5 points per game), and 15th in free throws made (195). His offensive outbursts during the Big Dance have allowed him to break Reggie King's 45-year single-season school record for total points.

Sears is a handful for opposing defenses with his ability to attack downhill, move without the ball, and create separation on jumpers. The 6-foot-1 guard can get hot quickly and completely alter the momentum of a contest. He hit six straight 3-pointers in the previous round, effectively ending Clemson's comeback bid. Sears' defensive hustle has also been on display with seven steals during the Crimson Tide's tourney run.

Aaron Estrada

Estrada has complemented Sears nicely in the backcourt. Both are dynamic scorers, active defensively, and competent facilitators. Estrada has thrived in Oats' up-tempo offensive system and benefited from the freedom given to guards. The Hofstra transfer leads Alabama in assists (4.7) and sits second in points (13.4), rebounds (5.5), and steals (1.6). He's registered double digits in scoring in 28 of 36 appearances.

Estrada hasn't looked out of place in his first NCAA Tournament, averaging 12.5 points, 7.3 boards, 5.5 assists, and 1.5 steals. The super senior's willingness to fill any role was evident at his previous stop, where he earned back-to-back CAA Player of the Year awards as a member of the Pride.

Grant Nelson

Nelson is another mid-major transfer paying dividends for Oats' program. The former North Dakota State star's guard-like skills have added another wrinkle to the Crimson Tide's high-octane offense. He can push the ball in transition, attack one-on-one off the bounce, and make the occasional three.

It hasn't been a great postseason for Nelson. However, he stepped up in the Sweet 16, pouring in 24 points, 12 boards, and five blocks to help Alabama stun top-seeded North Carolina. Nelson got the better of Armando Bacot on multiple drives to the basket, stuck with RJ Davis when switched onto the Tar Heels guard, and provided timely help defense. The 6-foot-11 forward's standout performance was a reminder of the two-way versatility he can bring to the table on any given night.

X-factor

Jarin Stevenson had the best performance of his young career in the Elite Eight, scoring a personal-best 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting - including 5-of-8 from deep - to go along with two blocks in the Crimson Tide's win over Clemson. The four-star freshman has shown flashes of potential during his first campaign in Tuscaloosa but hasn't been able to put it all together consistently. If Stevenson can get it going from long range, he gives Oats the option to use a five-out lineup, which may force Clingan to vacate the paint.

Reason for concern

Alabama's defense - specifically in the paint - has been its Achilles' heel all season. Opposing star bigs, such as Zach Edey and Johni Broome, are among the notables that have feasted against the Crimson Tide. It's very possible that Clingan has an encore performance and punishes Alabama on the low block the same way he did against the Fighting Illini in the Elite Eight. Centers Nick Pringle and Mohamed Wague have proven to be foul-prone. Although Nelson and Stevenson have stepped in occasionally at the five, it's not their natural position. While both are capable of stretching the floor, neither is a reliable 3-point shooter or is physically built to stop Clingan on the opposite end.