Ua Basketball — Coleman Coliseum at the University of Alabama. (Keilani Hamann)

The Alabama men’s basketball team is officially on the ground in Arizona, its latest trip west during the Crimson Tide’s first ever run to the Final Four. And while the team has played well away from Tuscaloosa, fans back home have kept the energy going with their team out of town.

Now, that energy will be brought to the Tide’s home court even though they’ll be playing several hours away. The University of Alabama has announced it will host an official watch party inside Coleman Coliseum for Saturday’s game. Here’s what you need to know:

Who: #4 Alabama vs. #1 UConn
Where: Coleman Coliseum
When: Doors at 7 PM, tip off scheduled for 7:49 PM
Admission is free
Concessions will be open

Big Al and Alabama fans at the Tuscaloosa airport to send the team off to the Final Four. (University of Alabama Athletics/Facebook)

UA said the clear bag policy will be in effect and no outside food or drinks are allowed.

The game

Many Alabama fans may be in the “happy to be here” territory after getting to the Final Four for the first time in program history. Of course, that feeling will without a doubt turn into a need for a win by the time tip off rolls around Saturday night.

UConn is undoubtedly the better team on paper, that’s why the defending champions were the #1 overall seed on Selection Sunday and why they are 11.5-point favorites. Let’s look at the tale of the tape:

#1 UConn Huskies
35-3, Big East Champion
Top 25 in points and points allowed per game
Average scoring margin in postseason: +22.7 ppg
Defending champion, 5-time champion
7th Final Four appearance
5 players averaging 10+ ppg

#4 Alabama Crimson Tide
25-11, 4th in SEC
Leads the nation with 90.6 ppg
Average scoring margin in postseason: +3.8 ppg
1st ever Final Four appearance
Leading scorer: Mark Sears – 21.5 ppg
2nd in country in made 3-pointers per game

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

Alabama and UConn will take the court approximately 30 minutes after the end of the first FInal Four game featuring Purdue and NC State. The winners of both games will face off in the national championship game Monday night.

Where else to watch

If you aren’t looking to join fans at Coleman Coliseum this week, there will still be fans gathering at spots around the state to watch the game. Here’s just a few of them (And let us know of any other public watch parties you will be attending!):

Avondale Brewing Company in Birmingham
Back Forty Beer Company in Birmingham
Sage Park in Mobile
The Venue in Northport
Multiple bars on The Strip in Tuscaloosa

Will you be watching Alabama in the Final Four this weekend? Show us how you’re watching Saturday night by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn!