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As the Connecticut Huskies attempt to win another national championship tonight against Michigan, @AlabamaMBB fans still hear the echos of two years ago when the Crimson Tide finally crashed college basketball’s biggest event for the first time on April 6, 2024.
Inside State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., the Crimson Tide’s breakthrough season reached its crescendo in its first Final Four appearance against the Huskies. As a No. 4 seed coming out of the West Region, the magical run ended with an 86-72 loss, but not before the Crimson Tide proved it belonged on the grandest stage.
Mark Sears led the way with 24 points, five rebounds and three assists, continuing his March brilliance. Grant Nelson delivered a monster effort with 19 points and a season-best 15 rebounds for a double-double, while @AEforthree added 13 points as Alabama fought to keep within striking distance deep into the second half.
Stephon Castle scored 21 points, Donovan Clingan had 18 and Tristen Newton controlled the game with 12 points and nine assists. When Alabama clawed back to tie it in the second half, UConn answered with a decisive run.
“We got this program to its first Final Four, and I’m unbelievably proud of these guys,” Alabama head coach @nate_oats said. “We just went up against the best team in the country and they showed it.”
Two years later, as Connecticut chases another title, that Saturday night in Glendale stands as more than a final score in Alabama history.
It redefined the ceiling of a program and created an expectation to get back.
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