The Alabama men's basketball team travels to Miami on Saturday to take on Miami in the NIT round of 16.

The Crimson Tide, a 6-seed, advanced after a dominating win over Illinois on Tuesday. Alabama made nearly 60% of its field goals en route to a 79-58 win in the first game under interim head coach John Brannen. Seniors Levi Randolph and Rodney Cooper combined for 39 points in the victory.

For Alabama to keep its season alive, it'll have to win its fifth road game of the season against a 22-win Hurricanes team. Here's a look at the team they'll take the court against at 10am CT on ESPN.

  • Miami is 1-0 against the SEC this year

    The Hurricanes played just one game against the Southeastern Conference this season. At the time, the 69-67 win at Florida looked to be one of the biggest of the season, but the Gators turned out to be 17-loss team in 2014-15.

  • Miami hasn't always taken advantage of its home court

    Miami might have made the NCAA Tournament this year had it performed better at home. The team finished 10-6 at home with two of those losses coming to teams outside the top 150 (Georgia Tech, Eastern Kentucky).

  • This team had one of the season's best wins

    While Miami played inconsistently throughout the year, this team has shown that it can play with anyone when its on its game. The Hurricanes ran away from Duke, a NCAA 1-seed, in front of the Cameron Crazies, 90-74.

  • Miami is a 5-point favorite over Alabama

    For Alabama to stay alive in the NIT, they'll have to do so as an underdog. Oddsmakers have made Miami a 5-point favorite in this game, but that doesn't guarantee a victory. The Hurricanes haven't covered the spread in 10 of its last 16 games.

  • Miami starts a 7'0" center

    Alabama will have its hands full with 7-foot center Tonye Jekiri. The big man averages 8.7 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks each game. He'll have a height advantage over both of Alabama's post players and could cause some big problems if Jimmie Taylor and Michael Kessens get in foul trouble.

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