Alabama basketball is one win away from history 20 years in the making.
The Crimson Tide honored its 2004 Elite Eight team earlier this season and now, after a late-season slide and NCAA Tournament turnaround, the 2024 group has a chance to return.
Four-seed UA (23-11) is set to play No. 1 North Carolina (29-7) in Sweet 16 a part of the West Region. The winner will advance and play six-seeded Clemson on Saturday. For now, Alabama gets the Tar Heels well-rounded group — highlighted by duo RJ Davis and Armando Bacot — and a primetime audience (8:50 p.m. on CBS).
Alabama reached Los Angeles after beating No. 13 Charleston, 109-96, and then 12-seeded Grand Canyon, 72-61. The Tide’s defense drastically improved from conference play and Mark Sears continued to play like one of the best guards in the country. UNC and head coach Hubert Davis stomped 16-seed Wagner, 90-62, and rallied in the first half over nine-seed Michigan State for an 85-69 win.
Nate Oats said Wednesday that guard and leading 3-point shooter Latrell Wrightsell Jr. was “day-to-day” with a concussion and will be reevaluated by team medical staff pregame. Follow along for live updates from Crypto.com Arena.
Pregame
–Reporters did not spot Wrightsell with the team as they entered the arena.
Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].