Alabama’s historic run to Final Four ends with heartbreaking loss to #1 UConn

Alabama fans were enjoying a ride of a lifetime over the last couple of weeks as the men’s basketball team made its first ever trip to the Final Four. The run in the big dance was full of memories that will not soon be forgotten by fans who lived through plenty of disappointing ends to the basketball season over the years.

The Crimson Tide’s season again ended short of a championship Saturday night when defending champion UConn defeated Alabama 86-72. But instead of a disappointed feeling, many fans were feeling a sense of pride that has more often been reserved for the football and softball teams in recent years. 

Let’s take a quick look at Saturday’s Final Four game + recap the Tide’s historic season.

Huskies pull away late

Alabama fans who did not make the trip west came together to watch the game inside Coleman Coliseum. Thousands of fans surrounded each other to support the Tide (and support each other) through one of the biggest nights in the program’s history. 

Alabama battled with the defending champions for most of the game and even led for some time during the first half. It was the longest amount of time UConn has trailed in the tournament so far. But the Huskies took over late in the second half.

Here’s what you need to know:

• #1 UConn 86, #4 Alabama 72
• Mark Sears: 24 points
• Grant Nelson: 17 points, 14 rebounds
• Alabama: 11/23 on 3-pointers
• UConn’s Donovan Clingan: 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 blocks

The Crimson Tide had the game tied with 12 minutes to go but UConn responded with an 8-0 run to force a timeout from Nate Oats. The Huskies eventually pushed their lead to double digits for the first time with 5 minutes to go. It was UConn’s 11th consecutive tournament win by double figures.

UConn advances to the national championship game for the second consecutive season as the Huskies look to become the first repeat champion in men’s basketball since 2007. They will face off against Purdue, the top seed from the Midwest region, on Monday night.

Recapping the Tide’s 2023-24 season

Alabama has had plenty of success under coach Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide just won the SEC last season but not many people expected to see a Final Four run from this team. They were picked to finish fifth in the SEC and they were #24 in the preseason AP Poll.

The Tide struggled against top teams during the regular season, dropping games to Purdue, Creighton and Arizona in non-conference play. Then they were swept by Kentucky and Tennessee while splitting with Florida and Auburn.

A first-round loss in the SEC Tournament seemingly halted the Tide’s postseason momentum but getting a week off worked out pretty well. Here’s how things went in the big dance:

• First round: #4 Alabama 109, #13 Charleston 96
• Second round: #4 Alabama 72, #12 Grand Canyon 61
• Sweet 16: #4 Alabama 89, #1 North Carolina 87
• Elite 8: #4 Alabama 89, #6 Clemson 82
• Final 4: #1 UConn 86, #4 Alabama 72

It may not have been the biggest Cinderella story of all time but the run took plenty of people by surprise, especially Alabama fans. I mean, the Tide got the #1 overall seed just one year ago and couldn’t make it past the Sweet 16. Again. 

But this is the team that will be remembered for finally getting the program over the hump.

By the Numbers

25 – Alabama finished with a 25-12 record, which is the third time the Crimson Tide has reached the 25-win mark in five seasons under Oats

90.1 – Alabama’s highest ever points per game average, the best in the country this season

11.2 – The Crimson Tide made 11.2 3-pointers per game, it’s highest ever total which was good enough for 2nd in the country this season

21.7 – Muscle Shoals native Mark Sears set a new career-high with 21.5 points per game

5 – Alabama had five seniors on its roster, combining for more than two-thirds of the team’s total points this season

What was your favorite memory from Alabama’s season? Let us know across social media by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn!