Mar. 16, 2012 – Midwest Regional First Round – Greensboro, NC
Creighton Bluejays 58 – Alabama Crimson Tide 57
The 9-seed Tide was 21-11. Creighton, an 8-seed was 28-5.
The Crimson Tide led by seven points at the half and took an 11-point lead in the second half. The Bluejays caught up with a 12-1 run. The coaches’ son, Doug McDermott had the nation’s third-highest scoring average. The tough Alabama defense held him to just 16 points.
In the closing seconds, the Tide did not need a three to win, but that was what was available to Trevor Releford. The shot was partially blocked. Releford thought he was fouled. There was no call.
Releford led the Tide with 14 points, followed by Trevor Lacy with 13 and JaMychal Green with 12.
Mar. 15, 2018 – East Regional First Round – Pittsburgh, PA
Alabama Crimson Tide 86 – Virginia Tech 83
After another frustratingly long interval, Avery Johnson got Alabama Basketball back to the Big Dance. It would have never happened without Collin Sexton and a magic finish in the opening round of the SEC Tournament.
At 19-15, Alabama Basketball was a 9-seed, taking on 8-seed Virginia Tech. The Hokies were coached by Buzz Williams, now at Texas A&M.
Tide star, Collin Sexton had no magic in the game’s first half. The Hokies led by two at halftime. Sexton bounced back after the break, scoring 21 second-half points and leading the Tide to the victory. Sexton finished with 25 points. John Petty, making 6-of-8 threes, scored 20 points.
Mar. 15, 2018 – East Regional Second Round – Pittsburgh, PA
Villanova Wildcats 81 – Alabama Crimson Tide 58
Alabama Basketball was no match for Jay Wright’s team. The eventual National Champions were a good measurement for how much Alabama Basketball needed to improve to become an elite program.
To its credit, the Tide did not back down and Nova led by just five points at halftime. The second half is when the differences in the teams emerged. Collin Sexton had 17 points and was the only Tide player in double figures.