“This is not pro I, let’s run it up inside and play great defense,” said Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly, whose team will face the Crimson Tide in Arlington, Texas. “They’re still playing fundamentally sound defense, but with the offenses as they are today, you know, it’s very difficult not to give up some yards.
“So you’re seeing fundamentally sound defense. You’re still seeing the same principles. You’re seeing at times elite play in certain position groups at Alabama. And then an offense now that can rival the very best college offenses in the country.”
The Associated Press
Joshua Langford is part of a Michigan State team leaning on upperclassmen in at the top of its rotation, including multiple players from a Final Four squad two seasons ago.
It’s the kind of veteran experience that has given Tom Izzo’s 12th-ranked Spartans and some of the nation’s top men’s basketball teams an early edge, providing continuity amid the constant uncertainty and changing schedules during the coronavirus pandemic.
“I don’t have any experience under my belt in terms of what we’re dealing with this season in terms of the virus and different things like that,” said Langford, a graduate student. “But I do have experience under my belt in terms of how to deal with adversity, knowing how to deal with high and knowing how to deal with lows.”
College Basketball: Teams led by experienced players have edge amid pandemic
Iowa center Luka Garza, left, drives to the basket past Northern Illinois center Adong Makuoi, right, during the first half of a Dec. 13 game in Iowa City, Iowa. AP File
Gonzaga forward Corey Kispert, left, shoots next to Northwestern State forward Robert Chougkaz during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash., Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) Young Kwak
Baylor guard Jared Butler (12) goes up for a shot as Stephen F. Austin s Gavin Kensmil, right, defends in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Waco, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Tony Gutierrez
College Basketball: Teams led by experienced players have edge amid pandemic
Iowa center Luka Garza, left, drives to the basket past Northern Illinois center Adong Makuoi, right, during the first half of a Dec. 13 game in Iowa City, Iowa. AP File
Gonzaga forward Corey Kispert, left, shoots next to Northwestern State forward Robert Chougkaz during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash., Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) Young Kwak
Baylor guard Jared Butler (12) goes up for a shot as Stephen F. Austin s Gavin Kensmil, right, defends in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Waco, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Tony Gutierrez
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