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Paolo Uggetti, ESPN
LOS ANGELES — Alabama senior guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. is considered day-to-day ahead of the Crimson Tide’s matchup against No. 1 seed North Carolina in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament on Thursday, coach Nate Oats said.
“Latrell’s being re-evaluated by the medical staff every day,” Oats said Wednesday. “I’m not sure if he’ll be available or not. They’ll let us know tomorrow.”
Wrightsell’s status has been unknown since he was injured by an elbow to the head during the first half of a Round of 32 victory against Grand Canyon. While Oats was confident after that game that the transfer from Cal State Fullerton would be ready to go, the coach has since appeared less confident of Wrightsell’s status.
Teammates, however, did not seem to have much of a concern over the guard’s availability on Wednesday.
“Latrell will be fine,” senior Nick Pringle said. “I think we’ll still have a great game plan, whether he plays or not, but I think he will definitely play.”
Wrightsell is averaging 9.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game and has made a scorching 44.3% of his 3-pointers this season while playing for one of the nation’s most prolific offenses. However, this is the second time this season that he’s dealt with a head injury after missing four SEC games in February and early March with a concussion.
Since returning to play, Wrightsell has started four games and become a crucial part of the Tide’s offense. Whether he will be able to suit up on Thursday or not, Alabama’s offense will have their work cut out for them against the top-seeded Tar Heels.
“We know that we’re not gonna be able to hold Carolina to 60 points,” Oats said. “It’s not really who we are, and that’s definitely not who they are. So we’re gonna have to get an offense that’s clicking like the No. 1 offense in the country in order to have a chance to win this game.”