Ask any member of the Northwestern men’s tennis team about taking on No. 17 Alabama on Saturday, and they’ll have four words for you:

“We are very confident.”

And then four more words:

“We are so excited.”

Riding the momentum of their upset over No. 28 Arkansas, the Wildcats (3-0) hope to repeat against the Crimson Tide (2-0) Saturday in front of their home fans at the Combe Tennis Center.

“We obviously know they’re an unbelievable team,” sophomore Tommy Hanus said. “But we’re staying confident, because we’re a good team.”

Alabama, with No. 39 Maxim Belski of Russia and No. 63 Stephen Mitchell of South Africa as well as the No. 8 and No. 50 doubles duos, also is looking to remain undefeated.

According to Torricelli, the bottom half of the Cats’ singles line-up, No. 4 Chuck Perrin, No. 5 Adam Schaechterle and No. 6 Ahmed Wahla, will be key this weekend. In the past three dual matches, Schaechterle has won all of his first sets, but his record is only 1-2.

“I’ve learned a lesson every week,” freshman Schaechterle said. “Last week I learned that when the chances are there, you’ve got to take them. I was up, and I played a little tentatively.”

NU (3-0) vs. No. 17 Alabama (2-0)

4 p.m. Saturday

Combe Tennis Center