Alabama Basketball: Complete Crimson Tide NCAA Tournament History

David Hobbs first season as Wimp Sanderson’s replacement was a rocky for Hobbs and the program. The Tide went 16-13 in 1993. The 1994 season was better, with Hobbs getting the Tide back to the Big Dance after a 19-9 record.

Mar. 17, 1994 – Southeast Region First Round – Lexington, KY

Alabama Crimson Tide 76 – Providence 70

Alabama Basketball was a 9-seed and met the 8-seed Providence Friars. Providence was 20-9 and coached by former Alabama basketball assistant and current Tennessee head coach, Rick Barnes. In the rugged Big East Conference, Providence had won eight consecutive games.

Despite shooting 62 percent in the first half, the Tide only led by five points at the break. Turnovers were a problem for Hobb’s team and it would finish the game with 22. Rebounding strongly favored the Tide with a 44-30 advantage. Antonio McDyess with 12 boards was the main reason the Tide controlled the glass.

Jamal Faulkner and Marvin Orange, both with 20 points led the Crimson Tide in scoring. Orange added five assists. Hobbs’ team won while not playing its best game.

Mar. 19, 1994 – Southeast region Second Round – Lexington, KY

Purdue Boilermakers 83 – Alabama Crimson Tide 73

Purdue was the region’s 1-seed and presented a big challenge for the Crimson Tide. The 28-4 Boilermakers were the Big Ten’s best team. Glenn ‘Big Dog’ Robinson was one of college basketball’s best players. In the 1994 season, Robinson averaged 39.1 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Another key player for Gene Keady was, now Missouri head coach, Cuonzo Martin.

Although the Tide did well, shooting threes in the first half, its other shooting was cold. Purdue led by nine points at the break. ‘Big Dog’ Robinson was too much for the Tide, scoring 33 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. Jamal Faulkner led the Tide with 25 points and 11 boards, Antonio McDyess had 13 points and 12 rebounds.