Overview
- Tipoff is set for noon ET on FS1 at Madison Square Garden.
- St. John’s enters 1-0 after a 108-74 opener behind impact newcomers, with Dillon Mitchell scoring 18 and Zuby Ejiofor adding 17 as the offense averaged 108 points.
- Alabama comes in 1-0 after a 91-62 win over North Dakota, led by Labaron Philon Jr.’s 22 points and eight assists and Houston Mallette’s 15 points and eight rebounds.
- The Crimson Tide begin a demanding stretch that will also feature matchups with No. 1 Purdue, No. 17 Illinois, No. 21 Gonzaga and No. 13 Arizona.
- Rick Pitino called Alabama “the most unique team to play in the country,” noting its quick-shot style, and he used X to urge fans to “rock the Garden.”