The Alabama Crimson Tide is headed back to the Sweet Sixteen for the fourth consecutive season, becoming one of just three programs in men’s college basketball who can say that along with Houston and Tennessee.
After pulling away late in the first round on Friday afternoon against Hofstra for a 20-point victory, it was the Texas Tech Red Raiders standing in Alabama’s way of a return to the second weekend of the tournament.
What followed was the Tide’s most inspired performance of the season and a thorough beatdown from start to finish, defeating Texas Tech 90-65.
While much of the story will be the absurd three-point shooting — the team shot 19 of 42 from the three-point line — it was the defensive effort and offensive rebounding that really made the result so lopsided.
“That was a fun game to be a part of. Texas Tech is a very good and they have done a lot to win the number of games they have and beat the teams they have this season,” Nate Oats said after the game.
“I give our seniors a ton of respect tonight. They came ready to go…All of our seniors had the mentality that they didn’t want to go home. I tell our guys all the time to lose yourself in the game, and everything will take care of itself. This is the fourth straight Sweet 16 we’ve been to, and these guys know what it takes to win.”
Alabama dominated on the glass, winning the overall rebound battle 47-35 as well as pulling down 18 offensive boards.
Scoring wise, it was Latrell Wrightsell leading the way with 24 points, while Houston Mallette came off the bench and made five threes for 15 points. It was not a prolific scoring night for LaBaron Philon with just nine points, however he still found a way to make a massive impact with 12 assists and six rebounds.
Next up for the Tide is the biggest challenge they have faced all season in No. 1 seed Michigan, who many have pegged as a favorite to win the national championship. Opening up as a double-digit underdog, Alabama will need a heroic effort to be able to even have a chance.
The game will be played on Friday night at 6:35 p.m. CST on TBS and TruTV.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
