Grant Nelson Credits Unselfishness of Teammates After Massive Performance

LOS ANGELES — Even if you didn't watch the game on Thursday night, social media made it clear that Grant Nelson was the star in Alabama's Sweet 16 victory over North Carolina.

The senior forward led the Crimson Tide with 24 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks. Nineteen of his 24 points came in the second half, and it was his third double-double of the season. But things hadn't been as easy for Nelson in Alabama's first two games of the NCAA Tournament.

In the Round of 64 game against College of Charleston, Nelson played just 15 minutes in the blowout win, finishing with three points and one rebound. He had a nearly identical stat line the next game against Grand Canyon and was in foul trouble in that matchup. Alabama still won the first two games by double digits despite the lack of production from Nelson.

On Friday ahead of the Crimson Tide's Elite Eight matchup with Clemson, Nelson said he felt like he let his teammates down in the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

"It was more just, I could’ve given a better performance, better effort towards winning those games," Nelson clarified. "My teammates, they've got me though. They know everyone’s not going to play a perfect game, so guys like Mo Dioubate, Mo Wague come in and step up and take over that role— I think that’s huge. That’s something that’s gotten us to this point, and something that’s going to continue to win games."

In each of Alabama's first three games, a different player has emerged as the hero. Against Charleston, Mark Sears stepped up with 30 points and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. scored 17 points on five made 3-pointers.

In the Round of 32, Dioubate was huge in the final minutes with nine points and five rebounds in just 13 minutes of action. He scored all nine points in the final five minutes of the game, which was a big reason why Alabama was able to pull away from Grand Canyon.

And then it was Nelson's turn on Thursday night with the massive performance against the top-seeded Tar Heels. Four of the Crimson Tide's starters finished in double-figure scoring in the win. Despite nagging injury issues throughout the season, Alabama's depth has allowed the team to not experience a lot of drop off if someone is unavailable or having an off night.

"We got guys from everywhere who have been the best players on their teams their whole life, and they’re coming into here," Nelson said. "I feel like guys have done such a good job of accepting a role, and knowing if they stay true to that role, their time will come. And they’ll have the favor of their matchup, or they’ll be able to get more rebounds or do whatever helps us win. It’s good playing for a team that’s not selfish and guys that ultimately, just want to win."

And now the Crimson Tide has a huge opportunity ahead to become the first team in program history to reach a Final Four with a win over Clemson on Saturday night.

"It's not going to be easy, for sure," Alabama guard Rylan Griffen said. "Like Clemson is a great team. So in order for us to get that, we're going to have to work really, really hard and play really, really hard and a really, really good game tomorrow. Focus on the game first and then all that other stuff comes after."