No. 2 Alabama Survives Robert Morris' Upset Bid as Fans Question Final Four Potential

With the threat of an early exit looming large, the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team got the job done.

The second-seeded Tide claimed a 90-81 victory over No. 15 seed Robert Morris in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Friday, advancing to the second round in the East Region.

Robert Morris kept pace with the Tide in the first half and only trailed by four entering the second half. The Colonials led briefly midway through the second half, but a Crimson Tide surge over the final eight minutes halted Robert Morris' hopes of playing spoiler.

Amarion Dickerson of the Colonials led all scorers with 25 points, while teammate Alvaro Folgueiras had 15 points and 10 rebounds. Alabama star Mark Sears had 22 points and 10 assists, with 17 of his points coming in the second half to help the Crimson Tide close things out. Clifford Omoruyi had 17 points for the Tide, while Mouhamed Dioubate chipped in 18 off of the bench.

Fans took to social media to discuss the Crimson Tide's status as a true contender after narrowly avoiding a major upset bid.

Alabama has advanced out of the first round in three straight seasons and will now look to build off of last season's trip to the Final Four.

The Crimson Tide will face the winner of Vanderbilt versus St. Mary's in the second round on Sunday.