(Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire)
The Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team has entered uncharted territory: For the first time in program history, they’re headed to the Final Four.
The Tide defeated Clemson 89-82 in the West region’s Elite Eight matchup to earn the right to face UCONN in the national semifinal.
In perhaps the biggest win in program history, Alabama used a big run at the end of the first half in order to take control. Early into the game down 26-13, Alabama used a 22-6 run to lead by three at the halftime break 35-32.
While Mark Sears had a difficult first half shooting just 1 of 7 from the three point line, he turned things on in the second half and hit 6 of 7 from deep and finished 50 percent from three.
Mark Sears has hit four in a row from beyond the arc 🔥#MarchMadness @AlabamaMBB pic.twitter.com/KqdvY4nzeD
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 31, 2024
Jarin Stevenson and Nick Pringle both played perhaps their best games in an Alabama uniform, with Stevenson scoring 19 on 5 of 8 from the three point line and Pringle scoring 16 along with 11 rebounds and some clutch free throws down the stretch.
Alabama took over down the stretch for the best win in program history, shutting things down and earning its birth to the Final Four.
Nate Oats gets West Regional Trophy #RollTide @MyBookie @Autograph #FinalFour pic.twitter.com/zOJ3KiNuUV
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) March 31, 2024
Nate Oats finishes off the net. pic.twitter.com/tgaYjFHiZW
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) March 31, 2024
Sears was named the MVP of the region, with Grant Nelson and Rylan Griffen being named to the All-Regional team.
Alabama will now face Connecticut, who has dominated its region in route to an East region title.
UCONN will be a heavy favorite in Alabama’s first ever Final Four matchup, but the Tide have arrived somewhere they have never been.
