As the Alabama Crimson Tide women’s basketball team faces the Green Bay Phoenix in the 2025 NCAA Tournament’s first round, it’s important to break down the strengths and key players that could determine the outcome of this pivotal matchup. Both teams bring distinct attributes to the table, and understanding these nuances can give fans, analysts, and coaches alike an edge in assessing how the game might unfold.
Alabama’s Strengths: Athleticism and Offensive Versatility
The Alabama Crimson Tide women’s basketball team has been known for its depth, athleticism, and offensive firepower. Throughout the season, Alabama demonstrated an ability to score efficiently from all areas of the floor, making them a versatile offensive threat. Whether it’s their fast break game or their half-court execution, Alabama’s transition offense is one of their standout attributes. The Crimson Tide have the ability to push the ball up the court quickly, and they have multiple players who can stretch the defense, both from the perimeter and in the paint.
In addition to their speed and quick transition play, Alabama has been impressive on defense. Their ability to apply full-court pressure, disrupt passing lanes, and contest shots at the rim gives them a well-rounded game plan to deal with almost any opponent. While the Crimson Tide may not have one standout superstar on their roster, their balance of skill positions and scoring threats creates a difficult matchup for any team.
Green Bay’s Strengths: Defensive Mastery and Slow-Paced Offense
On the other hand, the Green Bay Phoenix have built their reputation on their tenacious defense and deliberate, methodical offensive sets. Known for slowing down the game, Green Bay prefers to dictate the pace and grind out possessions, which can be a challenge for fast-paced teams like Alabama. Their ability to control tempo through solid ball movement and patience in half-court offense allows them to play their style, making it harder for opponents to dictate the flow of the game.
Defensively, Green Bay is particularly strong in the paint, often forcing their opponents into tough shots. Their defensive schemes focus on limiting second-chance opportunities and keeping ball handlers under pressure. One of their key strengths lies in defending without fouling, making it harder for opponents to get to the free-throw line. This disciplined defensive approach has helped them succeed in both regular-season play and in the tournament, where they have the ability to frustrate opposing offenses into mistakes.
Key Players to Watch
Alabama’s Key Players:
-
Jada Rice – As a dynamic forward, Jada Rice is a major factor in Alabama’s offense. Rice can score in a variety of ways, including posting up, hitting mid-range jumpers, and finishing in transition. Her rebounding ability and interior defense will be crucial in matching up against Green Bay’s strong post presence.
-
Jordan Lewis – Alabama’s senior point guard, Jordan Lewis, is known for her ability to run the offense with poise. Lewis is a steady hand at the point, capable of hitting clutch shots, creating plays for teammates, and defending the perimeter. Her leadership will be key in navigating Green Bay’s defensive strategies.
-
Meryn Thomas – The versatile forward is a scoring threat who can stretch the floor with her outside shooting. Thomas’s ability to space the floor while also contributing in the paint will be crucial in providing balance for the Tide.
Green Bay’s Key Players:
-
Amari Duhart – The standout guard for Green Bay, Amari Duhart is a talented scorer capable of driving to the basket or hitting mid-range shots. Duhart is also a strong defender, able to disrupt the opposing team’s ball movement and pressure ball handlers effectively.
-
Lily Christiansen – A forward known for her inside presence, Christiansen is an essential part of Green Bay’s offense. Her ability to finish around the rim and collect rebounds provides the Phoenix with second-chance opportunities and keeps the team in games. Christiansen’s physicality in the post will be critical against Alabama’s more mobile bigs.
-
Madison Auck – A standout freshman, Auck has made an immediate impact in her debut season. Known for her high basketball IQ and sharp shooting, Auck could prove to be a wildcard in this matchup, especially when Green Bay needs an extra scoring spark to break down Alabama’s defense.
The Coaching Battle: Alabama’s Kristy Curry vs. Green Bay’s Will Ryan
When it comes to coaching, both Kristy Curry of Alabama and Will Ryan of Green Bay have demonstrated the ability to lead their respective teams to success. Kristy Curry has been at the helm for the Crimson Tide since 2013, leading Alabama to consistent postseason appearances and building a program that competes with the best in the SEC. Curry’s approach to coaching emphasizes balance—focusing on both offensive and defensive efficiency, while fostering a culture of teamwork and resilience. Her ability to adjust in-game, whether it’s making defensive stops or increasing offensive tempo, has been a key factor in Alabama’s success.
Will Ryan, on the other hand, has cultivated a defensive-first mentality with Green Bay, a philosophy that has earned him respect in the Horizon League. Ryan’s strategic playbook has been molded around controlling tempo and executing in critical moments. Under his guidance, Green Bay has consistently made deep runs in the NCAA Tournament, and he will look to extend that success by crafting a game plan that will neutralize Alabama’s offensive potency.
The tactical battle between Curry and Ryan will be one of the highlights of this matchup. While Curry may lean on her team’s athleticism and transition play, Ryan will attempt to stifle Alabama’s rhythm through disciplined defense and slow-paced offense. The ability of each coach to make in-game adjustments could prove crucial in determining who advances to the next round.
The Intangibles: Fan Support, Venue, and Pressure
The Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland, will serve as the venue for this first-round game, and while neither Alabama nor Green Bay is considered a “local” team to the area, the venue will still play a part in shaping the environment. The Crimson Tide’s fans are known for traveling well, and their support could provide a morale boost for Alabama. Meanwhile, Green Bay’s fanbase is typically passionate, but they will likely be underdogs in terms of crowd support.
Another factor to consider is the pressure of the NCAA Tournament. Both teams come into this game with high expectations for themselves. For Alabama, a higher seeding means that they are expected to advance deep into the tournament, but they must shake off any nerves that come with being the favorite. Green Bay, on the other hand, will be viewed as an underdog, which could free them up to play without the burden of expectation. Historically, upsets are a hallmark of the NCAA Tournament, and Green Bay has the experience to pull off a surprise.
Who Will Advance?
As the Alabama Crimson Tide and Green Bay Phoenix prepare for their first-round clash in the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, fans are eagerly anticipating a hard-fought, competitive matchup. While Alabama enters as the higher seed and favorite, Green Bay’s experience and strong defensive game plan could prove to be a tough challenge. Alabama will need to rely on their offensive versatility and athleticism, while Green Bay will look to slow the game down and frustrate Alabama with their defensive schemes.
The team that can execute its game plan and manage the pressure of the tournament will likely come out on top. For Alabama, a win would signify a successful start to their tournament journey, and they would look to advance further in their quest for a national title. For Green Bay, an upset victory would be a monumental achievement and a reminder of their historical prowess in March Madness.
Regardless of the outcome, this game is sure to provide basketball fans with the excitement, drama, and unpredictability that the NCAA Tournament is known for. The stage is set—who will rise to the occasion and secure a spot in the second round? Only time will tell.