Alabama defeated Clemson in the Elite Eight to secure their first trip to the Final Four in program history. Freshman Jarin Stevenson had a career night, scoring 19 points and hitting 5-of-8 3-pointers in the victory. Clemson initially took a 13-point lead, but Alabama came back with a dominant run to take a three-point lead at halftime. Despite some struggles, Alabama maintained a lead in the second half and pulled away from Clemson with a strong performance from beyond the arc.
Alabama coach Nate Oats has led the Crimson Tide to the Final Four for the first time since 2004. Since Oats took over in 2019, he has transformed the program into a basketball contender in the SEC. Despite competing in the shadow of the dominant football program, Oats believes that reaching the Final Four will elevate the men’s basketball program and attract higher-level players. Getting to the Final Four is a significant accomplishment for Alabama basketball and demonstrates that they can compete with the best programs in the country.
In the Final Four, Alabama will face UConn, the defending national champions who defeated Illinois with a 30-0 run in their Elite Eight matchup. UConn has been a force in college basketball, and Alabama will face a tough challenge in their quest for a national championship. Oats and his team will need to prepare for a strong UConn team and find a way to overcome the obstacles that have tripped up other teams in recent years.
Mark Sears led Alabama with 23 points, including crucial points in the second half, while Jarin Stevenson contributed 19 points off the bench and made key shots from beyond the arc. Ian Schieffelien led Clemson with 18 points and 11 rebounds, but the team struggled to hit 3-pointers, shooting just 7-of-24 as a team. Despite a valiant effort from Clemson, they were unable to overcome Alabama’s strong shooting performance in the second half.
Nate Oats has been instrumental in elevating the Alabama basketball program and leading them to their first Final Four appearance. His success has been somewhat overshadowed by the dominance of the football program, but reaching the Final Four is a significant milestone for the Crimson Tide. Oats aims to continue building the program and competing at the highest level in college basketball, showcasing the potential of the team to recruit top talent and compete with the best programs in the country.
As Alabama prepares to face UConn in the Final Four, Oats and his team will need to focus on the task at hand and prepare for a tough opponent. The matchup against the defending champions will test Alabama’s resilience and determination as they aim to make history by reaching the national championship game. With a strong performance from key players like Mark Sears and Jarin Stevenson, Alabama hopes to continue their impressive tournament run and potentially secure their first national championship in program history.
