Charles Barkley was highly critical of Grand Canyon’s performance in their loss to Alabama in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Alabama emerged victorious with a score of 72-61 to advance to the Sweet 16. Grand Canyon had previously upset Saint Mary’s to reach the round of 32, but they were unable to continue their Cinderella run. Barkley expressed his disappointment with the way the Antelopes played, describing it as the “dumbest game of basketball” he had ever seen. He highlighted their poor decision-making, lack of offensive plays, and missed free throws as key issues in the game.
Clark Kellogg, Barkley’s co-analyst, also shared his confusion regarding Grand Canyon’s decision-making during the game. Barkley noted that the team seemed to resort to one-on-one plays rather than running set plays, leading to a lack of cohesion on the court. Grand Canyon struggled shooting from the field, finishing at 32.1%, and missed a notable 14 free throws. Their low assist count and ineffective rebounding further contributed to their loss. Coach Bryce Drew acknowledged that their rebounding performance was a major factor in the outcome, with Alabama securing more offensive rebounds.
Despite the criticism from Barkley and others, Grand Canyon’s coach Bryce Drew reflected on the importance of rebounding in the game. He recognized that improving their rebounding efforts, particularly in the offensive end, could have changed the course of the game in their favor. Drew emphasized the significance of rebounding in the final minutes of the game and how it could have impacted the outcome. While the team struggled in various aspects of the game, Drew remains focused on areas of improvement moving forward.
Alabama’s victory over Grand Canyon propelled them to the Sweet 16, where they would face North Carolina. Alabama’s strong performance and ability to capitalize on Grand Canyon’s mistakes ultimately led to their advancement in the tournament. The Crimson Tide showcased their skills and took advantage of the opportunities presented to them during the game. Grand Canyon’s disappointing loss served as a learning experience for the team, highlighting areas of improvement for future games. Despite the setbacks, the Antelopes’ journey in the tournament provided valuable lessons and insights for their development as a team.
In conclusion, Charles Barkley’s harsh critique of Grand Canyon’s performance in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament game against Alabama underscored the team’s shortcomings in decision-making, offensive execution, and rebounding. While the Antelopes fell short in their Cinderella run, their experience in the tournament will serve as a valuable learning experience for the team moving forward. Alabama’s victory highlighted their strength and ability to capitalize on their opponent’s weaknesses, ultimately leading to their advancement in the tournament. Both teams will take away important lessons from the game as they continue to compete and strive for success in their respective basketball journeys.
