Still dancin’: Alabama secures first ever Final Four appearance

Alabama Basketball
Jarin Stevenson shoots a 3-pointer against Clemson in the Elite 8. (University of Alabama Athletics)

111 seasons. That’s how long it took for Alabama to secure its first ever Final Four appearance in men’s college basketball.

It may have been a football matchup on paper, or the Rose Bowl of Basketball as Alabama coach Nate Oats called it, but Clemson and Alabama delivered a classic Saturday night in L.A. The Crimson Tide erased a 13-point defecit in the first half and led most of the second half before defeating the Tigers. Here’s what you need to know:

  • #4 Alabama 89, #6 Clemson 82
  • Mark Sears: 23 points, 7/14 3PT
  • Nick Pringle: 16 points, 11 rebounds, 8/13 FTs
  • Jarin Stevenson: 19 points, 5/8 3PT in 19 minutes off the bench

With the victory, Alabama will now travel to Arizona to play in the Final Four, needing just two more wins to claim the national title.

How Alabama got here

Alabama’s season has been an emotional roller coaster for fans in crimson. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s happened so far.

  • 25-11 record
  • Highest AP ranking: 13
  • 90.6 points per game, highest in program history

After losing in the first round of the SEC Tournament, the Crimson Tide got a 4 seed in the big dance. Wins over College of Charleston and Grand Canyon got the Tide to the second weekend of the tournament.

This week, Alabama took down #1 North Carolina and set up Saturday’s matchup with Clemson. The Tide swept the ACC schools and will be one of the final four teams playing in the 2024 college basketball season.

Alabama Basketball
Mark Sears shoots a 3-pointer in the Elite 8 game against Clemson. (University of Alabama Athletics)

What’s next?

Alabama is on to the Final Four so what happens next? This what we know.

  • Who: #1 UConn vs. #4 Alabama
  • Where: Phoenix, Arizona
  • When: Saturday, April 6 – Tip off time TBA
  • Watch: TBS

Were you watching the game Saturday night? Show us your reaction on social media and tag us on InstagramXFacebook + LinkedIn while you’re at it!

Caleb Turrentine
Caleb Turrentine
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