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No. 4 Alabama Avoids No. 12 Grand Canyon's Upset Bid, March Madness Fans Eye UNC Game

Jack MurrayMarch 25, 2024

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 24: Mark Sears #1 of the Alabama Crimson Tide drives the lane against Lok Wur #5 of the Grand Canyon Antelopes during the second round of the 2024 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena on March 24, 2024 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

For the first time in three decades, Alabama is Sweet 16 bound in consecutive seasons.

It was a tight battle with 12-seed Grand Canyon, but the fourth-seeded Crimson Tide were able to lock it down at the end and emerge with a 72-61 win.

NCAA March Madness @MarchMadnessMBB

THE TIDE ARE MOVING ON 🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AlabamaMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlabamaMBB</a> <a href="https://t.co/SOxM42Egsw">pic.twitter.com/SOxM42Egsw</a>

Alabama Men's Basketball @AlabamaMBB

SWEET 16 HERE WE COME!!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RollTide?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RollTide</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueCollarBasketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlueCollarBasketball</a> <a href="https://t.co/MuUNP5wVMb">pic.twitter.com/MuUNP5wVMb</a>

It wasn't easy, as the Antelopes took a lead in the later stages of the second half and remained close until the final minutes. A 17-3 run from the Crimson Tide at the end really put the game away.

Mark Sears led the Crimson Tide with 26 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Rylan Griffen had 13 points and the Alabama bench combined for 20 points.

NCAA March Madness @MarchMadnessMBB

Beautiful ball movement extends the lead for Alabama 🤩<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AlabamaMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlabamaMBB</a> <a href="https://t.co/is47YS2MKJ">pic.twitter.com/is47YS2MKJ</a>

Fans took to social media to express relief at the result and wish Alabama the best going forward.

Alabama Men's Basketball @AlabamaMBB

All of us right now watching <a href="https://twitter.com/MoDioubate?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoDioubate</a> go to work! <a href="https://t.co/St8mR5tTQZ">pic.twitter.com/St8mR5tTQZ</a>

matthias @matthias__meyer

THE ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE <a href="https://t.co/aKPgn1FtGq">pic.twitter.com/aKPgn1FtGq</a>

No. 4 Alabama Avoids No. 12 Grand Canyon's Upset Bid, March Madness Fans Eye UNC Game
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NCAA March Madness @MarchMadnessMBB

Roll Tide Willie's bracket is still perfect 👀🤣<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a> <a href="https://t.co/gpbXZpZyHf">pic.twitter.com/gpbXZpZyHf</a>

Scott Hanson @ScottHanson

Fun game! But someone please check on the shrieking Grand Canyon fan.

Others immediately turned their attention towards Alabama's next opponent, No. 1 seed North Carolina.

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanHoops

Alabama advances to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season and will now face UNC. <br><br>What Nate Oats has done with this program is ridiculous. <br><br>And what Mark Sears has done this season has been equally as impressive.

Earl Austin Jr. @earlaustinjr

The Alabama-Grand Canyon game. OMG!! Wild.. Race horse up and down action. Players slamming clipboards and getting techs. Mom going through the free throw routine with her son with her basketball purse. The ear piercing screams from a fan. We've had it all.

Max Greenberg @MaxGreenberg176

It was a scare for Alabama but it looks like they will escape <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a>

Howard Sapiro @HSapiro

Alabama will take on UNC Thursday. That will be good.

Shawn Harmon @Harmon64S

Next up for Alabama is UNC 👀👀👀

Shawn Harmon @Harmon64S

Next up for Alabama is UNC 👀👀👀

Brad Arnold @BradArnoldWX

How sweet it is!! Alabama off to the sweet 16!! Roll tide!!

Allie O'Neill @allie_sports

Roll tide!!!

Michael Koh @michaelkohwchl

<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNC</a> will face No. 4 seed Alabama in the Sweet 16. Rematch of the 4OT marathon from last season.<br><br>Mark Sears vs. RJ Davis is a class matchup.

The Crimson Tide and Tar Heels have faced each other twice in program history. Each has taken a victory, with the most recent being a 103-101 victory for Alabama in four overtimes during the 2022-23 season.

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