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The Alabama Crimson Tide are dancing for the fifth year in a row under head coach Nate Oats.
Alabama (25-8 overall) was awarded the No. 2 seed in the East Region bracket on Selection Sunday and will face No. 15 seed Robert Morris (26-8) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Friday at 11:40 a.m. CT at Cleveland's Rocket Arena. The game will be televised on truTV.
How good has Alabama been in March Madness under Oats? Compared to most of his predecessors, pretty successful.
Consider that prior to Oats' arrival from Buffalo (hence, "My Cousin Vinny!") in 2019, the once-proud Crimson Tide basketball program had made only two NCAA Tournament appearances in the past 13 years. Both were short-lived runs. Oats' predecessors, Avery Johnson (2015-19) and Anthony Grant (2010-15), each made only one tournament appearance in 10 seasons combined.
That was a far cry from the consistent -- if sometimes maddening -- stretch under Mark Gottfried, whose Alabama teams made the tournament five straight seasons from 2002 to 2006. Gottfried's tenure included the Crimson Tide's only trip to the Elite Eight (in 2004) until Oats took Alabama there last season.
Wimp Sanderson, one of the most colorful men and all-around characters to ever set foot on a basketball court and the Crimson Tide's winningest all-time coach, led eight Alabama teams to the NCAA Tournament but never advanced past the Sweet 16.
Oats' success, which includes an 8-4 overall mark in the NCAA Tournament, has set the stage for what's hopefully another memorable March Madness run as Alabama looks to get back to the Final Four. As Oats himself said earlier this week, anything less would be considered a disappointment.
Here's a comprehensive look at Alabama's NCAA Tournament history under Nate Oats since his arrival in Tuscaloosa in 2019.
Alabama's record: 16-15 overall, 8-10 conference
Key players: Kira Lewis (18.5 PPG), Jaden Shackelford (15.0 PPG, 4.5 REB) John Petty Jr. (14.5 PPG, 6.6 REB)
There are no great "what-ifs" here with this Alabama team. Had the 2020 NCAA Tournament not been canceled (COVID-19), March Madness would have gone right on without the Crimson Tide. Kansas, Villanova, Kentucky, Michigan State or Duke might have another national championship to add to their respective trophy cases. Not so for Alabama, who suffered losses to Vanderbilt and Missouri to close the regular season. Even before then, the Tide weren't in a good spot to reach the field of 68 as an at-large seed.
Alabama's record: 26-7 overall, 16-2 conference; SEC regular-season and tournament champions, No. 2 seed in NCAA Tournament
Key players: Jaden Shackelford (14.0 PPG), Jahvon Quinerly (12.9 PPG), Herbert Jones (11.2 PPG, 6.6 REB), John Petty Jr. (12.6 PPG)
Round of 64: Alabama 68, Iona 55
Round of 32: Alabama 96, Maryland 77
Sweet 16: UCLA 88, Alabama 78 (OT)
Alabama had the type of talent and team chemistry all season long that could have carried them into the Final Four. But against an 11-seeded UCLA team that had to beat Michigan State just to get out of the First Four play-in, the Tide had an abysmal night from the free-throw line (11-for-25) and an off-night from behind the arc (7-for-28).
Even so, all the momentum favored Alabama after Alex Reese drained a 3-pointer to send the game into overtime at 65-all. The rest was all downhill as UCLA started with a 7-0 run after regulation. Alabama never got back to make it a single-possession game, and an otherwise great season for the Crimson Tide had a disappointing ending.
Alabama record: 19-14 overall, 9-9 conference; No. 6 seed in NCAA Tournament
Key players: Jaden Shackelford (16.6 PPG), Jahvon Quinerly (13.8 PPG), Keon Ellis (12.1 PPG, 6.1 REB)
Round of 64: Notre Dame 78, Alabama 64
Every great coach has a first-round tournament upset on his résumé. For the second straight season, a team that had to win a First Four game sent the Tide home. Cormac Ryan had a career day in San Diego, making seven of nine shots from behind the arc and 10 of 13 from the field overall. Alabama wasn't the same team without Jahvon Quinerly, who suffered a knee injury early. A five-point game at halftime turned into a rout when the Tide made only 12 of 32 shots in the second half.
Alabama record: 31-6 overall, 16-2 conference; SEC regular season and tournament champions, No. 1 seed in NCAA Tournament
Key players: Brandon Miller (18.8 PPG, 8.2 REB), Mark Sears (12.5 PPG), Noah Clowney (9.8 PPG, 7.9 REB), Jahvon Quinerly (8.7 PPG, 3.6 AST), Charles Bediako (6.0 REB, 1.8 BLK)
Round of 64: Alabama 96, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 75
Round of 32: Alabama 73, Maryland 51
Sweet 16: San Diego State 71, Alabama 64
This was far and away Alabama's best team to ever enter an NCAA Tournament. With two soon-to-be first-round NBA draft picks leading the way, including star Brandon Miller, Alabama earned the No. 1 overall seed in March Madness. But the "Sweet 16 curse" lived on when San Diego State used a smothering defensive effort on the Tide, holding Miller to nine points on 3-of-19 shooting and forcing 14 Alabama turnovers.
Similar to Alabama's Sweet 16 loss to UCLA two years earlier, Oats' high-scoring offense had a dismal night from behind the arc (3-of-27).
Alabama record: 25-12 overall, 13-5 conference, No. 4 seed in NCAA Tournament
Key players: Mark Sears (21.5 PPG), Grant Nelson (11.9 PPG, 5.9 REB, 1.6 BLK), Aaron Estrada (13.4 PPG, 5.4 REB, 4.6 AST), Rylan Griffen (11.2 PPG), Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (9.0 PPG)
Round of 64: Alabama 109, Charleston 96
Round of 32: Alabama 72, Grand Canyon 61
Sweet 16: Alabama 89, North Carolina 87
Elite Eight: Alabama 89, Clemson 82
Final Four: UConn 86, Alabama 72
The great thing about both of Alabama's trips to the Elite Eight is how unexpected they were. Heading into the 2024 NCAA Tournament, not many figured the Crimson Tide for much more than another Sweet 16 appearance. Alabama got there alright, but instead of folding the Tide toppled No. 1 seed North Carolina in "The Grant Nelson Game."
Nelson had a career-high 24 points (19 in the second half), 12 rebounds and five blocked shots in an 89-87 instant classic over the favored Tar Heels in Los Angeles. Nelson made six of nine shots from the field and was 10 of 13 from the foul line. In the Elite Eight, Alabama continued its run by getting past an equally streaking Clemson team that also found its magic in March to secure the Tide's first Final Four appearance.
Alabama record: 25-8 overall, 13-5 conference
First-round opponent: Robert Morris Colonials (26-8)
Against a brutal SEC schedule in a league that saw 13 other conference foes make the tournament, Alabama will face Robert Morris in the first round Friday in Cleveland. A win over the Horizon League champions would put the Crimson Tide in a second-round matchup against the No. 7 vs. 10 seed winner between St. Mary's (28-5) and Vanderbilt (20-12) on Sunday.
Round of 64: 3-1
Round of 32: 3-0
Sweet 16: 1-2
Elite Eight: 1-0
Final Four: 0-1
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama basketball March Madness tournament history under Nate Oats
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Alabama (25-8 overall) was awarded the No. 2 seed in the East Region bracket on Selection Sunday and will face No. 15 seed Robert Morris (26-8) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Friday at 11:40 a.m. CT at Cleveland's Rocket Arena. The game will be televised on truTV.
How good has Alabama been in March Madness under Oats? Compared to most of his predecessors, pretty successful.
Consider that prior to Oats' arrival from Buffalo (hence, "My Cousin Vinny!") in 2019, the once-proud Crimson Tide basketball program had made only two NCAA Tournament appearances in the past 13 years. Both were short-lived runs. Oats' predecessors, Avery Johnson (2015-19) and Anthony Grant (2010-15), each made only one tournament appearance in 10 seasons combined.
That was a far cry from the consistent -- if sometimes maddening -- stretch under Mark Gottfried, whose Alabama teams made the tournament five straight seasons from 2002 to 2006. Gottfried's tenure included the Crimson Tide's only trip to the Elite Eight (in 2004) until Oats took Alabama there last season.
Wimp Sanderson, one of the most colorful men and all-around characters to ever set foot on a basketball court and the Crimson Tide's winningest all-time coach, led eight Alabama teams to the NCAA Tournament but never advanced past the Sweet 16.
Oats' success, which includes an 8-4 overall mark in the NCAA Tournament, has set the stage for what's hopefully another memorable March Madness run as Alabama looks to get back to the Final Four. As Oats himself said earlier this week, anything less would be considered a disappointment.
Here's a comprehensive look at Alabama's NCAA Tournament history under Nate Oats since his arrival in Tuscaloosa in 2019.
Alabama basketball 2019-2020: NCAA Tournament canceled
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Alabama's record: 16-15 overall, 8-10 conference
Key players: Kira Lewis (18.5 PPG), Jaden Shackelford (15.0 PPG, 4.5 REB) John Petty Jr. (14.5 PPG, 6.6 REB)
There are no great "what-ifs" here with this Alabama team. Had the 2020 NCAA Tournament not been canceled (COVID-19), March Madness would have gone right on without the Crimson Tide. Kansas, Villanova, Kentucky, Michigan State or Duke might have another national championship to add to their respective trophy cases. Not so for Alabama, who suffered losses to Vanderbilt and Missouri to close the regular season. Even before then, the Tide weren't in a good spot to reach the field of 68 as an at-large seed.
Alabama 2021 NCAA Tournament: Sweet 16 appearance
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Alabama's record: 26-7 overall, 16-2 conference; SEC regular-season and tournament champions, No. 2 seed in NCAA Tournament
Key players: Jaden Shackelford (14.0 PPG), Jahvon Quinerly (12.9 PPG), Herbert Jones (11.2 PPG, 6.6 REB), John Petty Jr. (12.6 PPG)
Round of 64: Alabama 68, Iona 55
Round of 32: Alabama 96, Maryland 77
Sweet 16: UCLA 88, Alabama 78 (OT)
Alabama had the type of talent and team chemistry all season long that could have carried them into the Final Four. But against an 11-seeded UCLA team that had to beat Michigan State just to get out of the First Four play-in, the Tide had an abysmal night from the free-throw line (11-for-25) and an off-night from behind the arc (7-for-28).
Even so, all the momentum favored Alabama after Alex Reese drained a 3-pointer to send the game into overtime at 65-all. The rest was all downhill as UCLA started with a 7-0 run after regulation. Alabama never got back to make it a single-possession game, and an otherwise great season for the Crimson Tide had a disappointing ending.
Alabama 2022 NCAA Tournament: First-round loss
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Alabama record: 19-14 overall, 9-9 conference; No. 6 seed in NCAA Tournament
Key players: Jaden Shackelford (16.6 PPG), Jahvon Quinerly (13.8 PPG), Keon Ellis (12.1 PPG, 6.1 REB)
Round of 64: Notre Dame 78, Alabama 64
Every great coach has a first-round tournament upset on his résumé. For the second straight season, a team that had to win a First Four game sent the Tide home. Cormac Ryan had a career day in San Diego, making seven of nine shots from behind the arc and 10 of 13 from the field overall. Alabama wasn't the same team without Jahvon Quinerly, who suffered a knee injury early. A five-point game at halftime turned into a rout when the Tide made only 12 of 32 shots in the second half.
Alabama 2023 NCAA Tournament: Sweet 16 appearance
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Alabama record: 31-6 overall, 16-2 conference; SEC regular season and tournament champions, No. 1 seed in NCAA Tournament
Key players: Brandon Miller (18.8 PPG, 8.2 REB), Mark Sears (12.5 PPG), Noah Clowney (9.8 PPG, 7.9 REB), Jahvon Quinerly (8.7 PPG, 3.6 AST), Charles Bediako (6.0 REB, 1.8 BLK)
Round of 64: Alabama 96, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 75
Round of 32: Alabama 73, Maryland 51
Sweet 16: San Diego State 71, Alabama 64
This was far and away Alabama's best team to ever enter an NCAA Tournament. With two soon-to-be first-round NBA draft picks leading the way, including star Brandon Miller, Alabama earned the No. 1 overall seed in March Madness. But the "Sweet 16 curse" lived on when San Diego State used a smothering defensive effort on the Tide, holding Miller to nine points on 3-of-19 shooting and forcing 14 Alabama turnovers.
Similar to Alabama's Sweet 16 loss to UCLA two years earlier, Oats' high-scoring offense had a dismal night from behind the arc (3-of-27).
Alabama 2024 NCAA Tournament: Final Four appearance
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Alabama record: 25-12 overall, 13-5 conference, No. 4 seed in NCAA Tournament
Key players: Mark Sears (21.5 PPG), Grant Nelson (11.9 PPG, 5.9 REB, 1.6 BLK), Aaron Estrada (13.4 PPG, 5.4 REB, 4.6 AST), Rylan Griffen (11.2 PPG), Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (9.0 PPG)
Round of 64: Alabama 109, Charleston 96
Round of 32: Alabama 72, Grand Canyon 61
Sweet 16: Alabama 89, North Carolina 87
Elite Eight: Alabama 89, Clemson 82
Final Four: UConn 86, Alabama 72
The great thing about both of Alabama's trips to the Elite Eight is how unexpected they were. Heading into the 2024 NCAA Tournament, not many figured the Crimson Tide for much more than another Sweet 16 appearance. Alabama got there alright, but instead of folding the Tide toppled No. 1 seed North Carolina in "The Grant Nelson Game."
Nelson had a career-high 24 points (19 in the second half), 12 rebounds and five blocked shots in an 89-87 instant classic over the favored Tar Heels in Los Angeles. Nelson made six of nine shots from the field and was 10 of 13 from the foul line. In the Elite Eight, Alabama continued its run by getting past an equally streaking Clemson team that also found its magic in March to secure the Tide's first Final Four appearance.
Alabama 2025 NCAA Tournament: No. 2 seed, East Region
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Alabama record: 25-8 overall, 13-5 conference
First-round opponent: Robert Morris Colonials (26-8)
Against a brutal SEC schedule in a league that saw 13 other conference foes make the tournament, Alabama will face Robert Morris in the first round Friday in Cleveland. A win over the Horizon League champions would put the Crimson Tide in a second-round matchup against the No. 7 vs. 10 seed winner between St. Mary's (28-5) and Vanderbilt (20-12) on Sunday.
Recapping Nate Oats' career NCAA Tournament record at Alabama
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Round of 64: 3-1
Round of 32: 3-0
Sweet 16: 1-2
Elite Eight: 1-0
Final Four: 0-1
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama basketball March Madness tournament history under Nate Oats
Continue reading...
