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

Andrew PetersMarch 31, 2024

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 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.

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

NCAA March Madness @MarchMadnessMBB

MARK SEARS CANNOT MISS 🔥<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/E0TebwUf8C">pic.twitter.com/E0TebwUf8C</a>

Austin Hannon @austinhannon_

Mark Sears and PJ Hall are heating up in the second half. This is what the fans came to see.

Daniel Olinger @dan_olinger

I really love the way this Alabama team plays basketball. Mark Sears rocks.

Clint Lamb @ClintRLamb

Mark Sears shot that from Muscle Shoals

Jack Susanin @SusaninSports

Mark Sears is incredible.

Blake Byler @blakebyler45

What an phenomenal game from Nick Pringle.<br><br>Another and-one. Alabama leads by 6 with two minutes to go.

Sidelines - Bama @SSN_Alabama

PRINGLE LEGACY GAME OH MY LORD

College Sports Only @CollegeSportsO

Alabama's 3-point shooting in the 2nd half: <a href="https://t.co/ZNIUSRqnfX">pic.twitter.com/ZNIUSRqnfX</a>

Alabama Men's Basketball @AlabamaMBB

Mark's Madness!<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/IaTtFbb5uH">pic.twitter.com/IaTtFbb5uH</a>

Sidelines - Bama @SSN_Alabama

We know who comes out on top in a three contest. PLEASE keep it going.

Hunter Johnson @BurnerLJohnson

THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IS GOING TO THE FINAL FOUR!!!!!!!!!

Kyron Samuels @kyronsamuels

alabama basketball is in the final four. <br><br>let that sink in. <br><br>breathe. <br><br>BAMA BASKETBALL IS IN THE FINAL FOUR OH MY GOD.

Alabama Football @AlabamaFTBL

FINAL FOUR!!! 🙌🙌<a href="https://twitter.com/AlabamaMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlabamaMBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RollTide?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RollTide</a> <a href="https://t.co/dbDeqgl5tm">https://t.co/dbDeqgl5tm</a>

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.