The Alabama Crimson Tide faced off against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four but ultimately fell short with a final score of 86-72. Despite this loss, it was still a standout season for the Crimson Tide, marking their first appearance in the Final Four. The team had previously made it to the Sweet 16 last season but struggled to advance beyond the first round in 2022. Head coach Nate Oats expressed disappointment over their inability to take as many 3-point shots as desired, citing the Huskies’ defense as a significant factor in their offensive limitations.
Throughout the game, Alabama attempted 23 3-pointers but only managed to convert 11 of those shots. In contrast, they had taken 26 3-pointers in a previous tournament win over North Carolina. Oats acknowledged the Huskies’ defensive strategy of running their players off the 3-point line and forcing them into less favorable shot selections. Despite being down by only four points at halftime, Alabama struggled to close the gap in the second half and saw their deficit widen as UConn’s shooting efficiency remained high. Mark Sears led Alabama with 24 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome UConn’s balanced scoring.
UConn’s impressive offensive performance saw each player in their starting lineup reach double figures in scoring, with the team shooting an impressive 50% from the field. The Huskies’ victory secured their spot in the national title game against Purdue, set to take place on Monday. Alabama’s Final Four run may have ended in defeat, but their journey to this stage of the tournament was a significant achievement for the program. As they reflect on this season and look ahead to the future, the Crimson Tide will likely use this experience as motivation to continue striving for success in future competitions. Fans can follow the latest sports coverage from Fox News Digital and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter for more updates on upcoming games and events.
