The Crimson Tide swept through the West Region, earning the school’s first-ever trip to the national semifinals. Will Alabama be able to keep the run going in Phoenix?
Alabama’s Final Four berth marks the first in program history. It’s yet another massive achievement for the university, which saw its football program make its eighth College Football Playoff this past January. (Seems that some fanbases get all the luck.)
The Bama faithful hope that, unlike in football, this trip ends with a championship. Fifth-year coach Nate Oats guides a roster that retained a couple of key pieces from last year’s Sweet 16 team and added some impactful newcomers. While some parts have changed, the philosophy has remained the same. True to the style that has defined Oats’ career, the Tide almost exclusively attempt 3-pointers and shots close to the basket.
This year’s iteration has yielded the coach’s strongest offense yet, and Alabama has shown minimal signs of slowing down in the postseason. The Tide have eclipsed 1.2 points per possession and knocked down 11 or more 3s in three of their four tournament games. But as the competition stiffens, they will need every ounce of offensive firepower to make it to next Monday.
Final Four previews:
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