2 min read • April 01, 2024
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After two tight victories over North Carolina and Clemson, the Alabama Crimson Tide are likely to get senior guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. back for its Final Four matchup against University of Connecticut next Saturday.
Wrightsell was diagnosed with a concussion after exiting the March 24 matchup against Grand Canyon University and he missed Thursday's matchup against UNC and the Saturday matchup against the Clemson Tigers.
However, he will return to practice this week and told reporters “I’ll be back.” Head coach Nate Oats told reporters that he wants to make sure Wrightsell is not “at more risk for future head trauma” but the week between games gives him “a pretty good chance to play.”
Wrightsell scored 17 points on 75% shooting from the field during the opening round victory over Charleston, but played just 11 minutes against Grand Canyon and finished with 2 points.
He averaged 9 points, 3 rebounds and 1.4 assists on 44.7% shooting from the field during the regular season. As a junior, he averaged 16.3 points in 33.2 minutes per game but saw his minutes cut to 23.5 per game this season with the Crimson Tide’s added depth.
Sophomore guard Rylan Griffen entered the tournament nursing a calf ailment but has played increasingly well as the tournament has progressed. In the 89-82 win over Clemson, he played his most minutes since Feb. 24, finishing with 13 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds and a steal on 62.5% shooting from the field and 50% from 3-point range.
Over the past three games in the tournament, he averaged 15 points, 3.33 assists and 3 rebounds on 53.6% shooting from the field.
Senior forward Nick Pringle entered Saturday's game nursing a bruised heel, but played 32 minutes and finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists while shooting 4-6 from the floor and 8-13 from the free throw line.
As of Sunday night, the UConn Huskies were 11.5-point favorites over Alabama and the over/under was 161.5, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
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I asked Latrell Wrightsell if he thinks he’s going to be able to play next week. “I’ll be back,” he says.
