Alabama’s Mark Sears made seven 3-pointers to help the Crimson Tide beat Clemson 89-82 and advance to the Final Four for the first time in school history. The Tide will face defending national champions UConn in Glendale, Arizona. Sears finished with 23 points and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the West Region. Freshman Jarin Stevenson also made a significant contribution off the bench with five 3-pointers and 19 points.
Alabama struggled with its long-range shooting early in the game, missing 12 of its first 13 attempts from beyond the arc. However, they found their rhythm in the second half, hitting a total of 16 3-pointers to defeat Clemson. The Tide’s success was a team effort, with different players stepping up in each game of the tournament. Alabama coach Nate Oats commended his players for their performance and expressed his excitement at reaching the Final Four for the first time.
The Tide celebrated their victory wearing red T-shirts with the slogan “Net Worthy” as confetti rained down on them. Clemson, which was also vying for its first Final Four appearance, put up a fight led by Joseph Girard III and Ian Schieffelin, who combined for 37 points. However, Alabama’s dominant 3-point shooting in the second half proved to be too much for the Tigers to overcome.
Mark Sears, who had dreamed of playing in March Madness moments, delivered a standout performance by sinking crucial 3-pointers to keep Alabama ahead. Despite Clemson’s attempts to keep pace from beyond the arc, Sears and his teammates continued to extend their lead. Nick Pringle’s late-game scoring spree, combined with strong defensive play, helped the Tide secure the win and advance to the Final Four.
Alabama, seeded fourth in the tournament, made history by reaching the Elite Eight for just the second time, with their previous appearance ending in a loss to UConn in 2004. Clemson, the sixth seed in the West Region, put up a strong fight throughout the game but ultimately fell short against the hot shooting of the Crimson Tide. Both teams showcased their resilience and talent in a highly competitive matchup.
In the regional semifinals, Clemson had defeated second-seeded Arizona to earn their second Elite Eight berth in 44 years. However, Alabama’s impressive performance, particularly from the 3-point line, propelled them to victory in the West Region final. The Tide’s ability to overcome early shooting woes and execute their game plan effectively was instrumental in securing their spot in the Final Four. Alabama will now face the formidable challenge of taking on defending champions UConn in the next round of the NCAA tournament.
