Alabama’s Last Trip to The Big Dance
The Alabama Crimson Tide drew a No. 2 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament and will open up action on Saturday at 3 p.m. against No. 15 Iona in Indianapolis. While this season has been nothing short of exciting, winning both the SEC regular season and tournament championships, the last time Alabama made "The Big Dance" it was by the skin of its teeth.
The Crimson Tide lost its last five games of the 2017-18 regular season and needed a strong showing the SEC Tournament to have a chance at an at-large bid to March Madness. Thanks to heroics by SEC Freshman of the Year, Alabama defeated Texas A&M to set up a showdown with the highly ranked Auburn Tigers.
Sexton scored 31 points the following day to eliminate the Auburn Tigers from the SEC Tournament and ensure that Alabama would earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Alabama would lose in the SEC Tournament semifinals to Kentucky but the showing would be enough for Alabama to earn a No. 9 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
It was Alabama's first NCAA Tournament since 2012 and considering the nature of the season it was a successful appearance. Alabama defeated the No. 8 seed Virginia Tech Hokies 86-83 to pull the first round upset. Alabama's superstar, Sexton scored 25 points with six assists and three rebounds to carry the Tide into the second round.
Unfortunately for Alabama its season would end in round two as the Crimson Tide lost to No. 1 seed Villanova 81-58. The Wildcats would go on to win the national championship showing the Crimson Tide just how wide the gap was between the two programs.
Alabama's three seniors on the 2020-21 team were all freshman the last time the Tide made it to March Madness. Ideally the experience gained by Herb Jones, John Petty and Alex Reese three years ago will help the team make an even deeper run this March.
Alabama opens up tournament play against Iona on TBS at 3 p.m. CT. The game can also be heard on 95.3 The Bear with a pregame show beginning at 2 p.m. CT.