LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Head coach Nate Oats of the Alabama Crimson Tide talks with Mark Sears #1 and Aaron Estrada #55 during the first half against the Clemson Tigers in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Crypto.com Arena on March 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)Harry How/Getty Images

Alabama Reaches 1st MCBB Final Four as Win Over Clemson Thrills March Madness Fans

Andrew PetersMar 30, 2024

Alabama is heading to its first Final Four in program history after handling Clemson 89-82 Saturday night.

The fourth-seeded Crimson Tide went back and forth with the No. 6 Tigers for much of the game, going into a shootout late in the second half that kept things close. A late push from Alabama fueled by star guard Mark Sears helped the Tide pull away in the final minutes to advance.

Sears finished with 23 points, and freshman forward Jarin Stevenson added 19 off the bench.

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After Alabama's Final Four push, fans praised the Crimson Tide on the team's outstanding March Madness run.

Alabama moves on to face No. 1 UConn, which has looked poised to become a back-to-back champion. The Crimson Tide have already defeated a No. 1 seed in North Carolina in the Sweet 16, but the Huskies were the top overall seed for a reason. If Alabama's electric offense can keep up with UConn, it could be on its way to a national championship appearance.