The NCAA tournament is about basketball but also so much more: the parents, fans, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The Sweet 16/Elite 8 are taking place in 4 cities around the country and we could not be more excited to be there in person! HoopsHD is covering all the angles so you can look forward to an abundance of access in the days ahead. Jon Teitel continues our coverage from Los Angeles with an Alabama breakout room interview.
SR F Grant Nelson
You transferred from North Dakota State last June: did you think that playing for a chance to go to the Final 4 would even be possible? Yes. My main goal was to make it as far in the NCAA tourney as I could, so my main factor was finding a coach who could do that. Coach Oats has 1 of the best offenses in the nation and the past few years his defenses have been great as well. When I looked at the other transfers/returnees on the roster I knew that we had the potential to do this.
You had mediocre games in the 1st/2nd rounds last week: how were you able to outplay the great Armando Bacot on Thursday? The preparation started last summer and continued throughout the season, both for me and the entire team. If we had any little slip-up then we probably would have lost that game.
You were swarmed be the media in the locker room the other night after your amazing performance in the win over North Carolina (24 PTS/12 REB/5 BLK): what have the past 24 hours been like? It has been crazy. I have received a lot of love, especially from everyone in my hometown of Devils Lake, ND. They love to see someone from their start doing something big so it has been great.
You scored 14 PTS in an 8-PT loss to Clemson last November: what do you expect in the rematch? They are a good team with a lot of experience who slowed the pace down vs. Arizona. All of their guards are good shot-makers and PJ Hall has torn up the ACC all year…but if we give the same kind of effort that we did on Thursday then I think we will win.
Your brother Leif is a javelin thrower at USC, your brother Joel won the North Dakota Division A basketball title a couple of weeks ago, and your sister Erin was named homecoming queen in addition to being the 1st woman to score a point for the boys’ football team at her high school (as a kicker): who is the best athlete in the family? It was very competitive growing up with 9 siblings. It is me or Leif: Joel is getting there…but I am unsure if he can jump like me/Leif. It was great to see him win a state title…but if I make the Final 4 then I guess I would 1-up him!
Check back for a lot more access all weekend long!