Janice R. Andrews
The matchup between Alabama and Grand Canyon University left basketball fans perplexed and sparked a rush of emotions, none perhaps as colorful as that of Charles Barkley, the March Madness icon and legend of Auburn. The game was spoiled by what Barkley called “one of the dumbest” basketball moves he had ever seen, with Alabama winning by an 11-point margin.
Supporters of Alabama felt a wave of relief as the final buzzer sounded around the arena, but their relief was tempered with confusion at what they had just seen. Grand Canyon’s method of playing the game appeared to go against the grain of basketball common thinking, as they preferred a chaotic, individualistic style of play above collaboration and strategy.
Grand Canyon’s attack seemed haphazard and uncoordinated, with only five assists registered in the 40-minute game. Their terrible shooting performance—which included a 2-for-20 performance from outside the arc, several turnovers, and missed free throws—only served to illustrate how perplexing their style of play was.
For Barkley, who is well-known for his frank and colorful comments, the game marked a new low for his basketball intelligence. In a post-game review, Barkley was unreserved in his criticism of Grand Canyon, calling their strategy “dumb” and questioning their apparent unwillingness to run set plays.
Barkley said, “I’m not sure what they were doing offensively.” “I don’t believe they executed a play for the whole second half. I’ve watched adult college men play some of the most ridiculous basketball I’ve ever seen.”
Barkley gave Grand Canyon’s Mark Sears credit for his calm performance in the face of pandemonium, but his assessment of the game as a whole was harsh. He felt that Alabama, under coach Nate Oats, had adopted a disciplined approach that was superior to Grand Canyon’s lack of structure and cohesiveness.
Alabama’s loss against Grand Canyon is still being felt as they get ready to play top-seeded North Carolina in the Sweet 16. Even though Alabama is the underdog going into the game, their tenacity and tactical skill will definitely provide a serious challenge to their opponents.
Barkley’s colorful remarks following Sunday’s game is a clear reminder of March Madness’s ongoing allure, as even the most unlikely matches can result in moments of both genius and confusion. And even if Grand Canyon’s performance was far from ideal, it is evidence of the thrill and volatility that characterize the most treasured tournament in college basketball.
