Reviewed by: Pat Byington
Fans in Tuscaloosa watch the Tide clinch Sweet 16 berth
Reading time: 3 minutes
Alabama fans may be used to stressful Saturdays in the fall but people rooting for the Crimson Tide got a dose of stress during a spring Sunday evening this week.
Basketball fans back in Tuscaloosa who did not travel with the teams gathered at Baumhower’s Victory Grille for the official Alabama Athletics watch party for the women’s and men’s second round NCAA Tournament games that tipped off within an hour of each other. When it was all said and done, one team is still dancing and moving on to the Sweet 16.
- #1 Texas 65, #8 Alabama women 54
- #4 Alabama men 72, #12 Grand Canyon 61
Top-seeded Longhorns take out Crimson Tide
The Alabama women’s basketball team is inching closer and closer to its first Sweet 16 appearance since 1998 but the road proved to be too difficult. The Crimson Tide was playing in the second round for the second time in the last four seasons. It’s the first time the team has accomplished that in more than two decades.
But Texas proved why were the favorite for Sunday’s game, dominating on the glass and making things very difficult on Alabama’s offense. The Tide had the lead down to single digits early in the fourth quarter but the Longhorns pulled away with a 65-54 victory.
It was the first time Alabama played against a #1 seed in the tournament since 1996.
Alabama men dance on to the Sweet 16
Alabama guard Mark Sears scored 26 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and dished six assists to lead the Crimson Tide away from an upset bid by #12 Grand Canyon.
With the 72-61 win, the Crimson Tide moves into the Sweet 16 for the third time in the last four seasons. It’s the first time they have done that over a four-year span since the 1980s! Alabama will be looking to make its second ever appearance in the Elite 8 but top seed North Carolina will be standing in the way. Here’s what to know:
- Who: #4 Alabama vs. #1 North Carolina
- Where: Los Angeles, California
- When: Thursday, March 28 at approximately 8:39 central time
- Watch: CBS
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