Alabama basketball set a new NCAA Tournament record for made three-pointers on the way to a blowout 113-88 win over BYU in the Sweet 16 to advance to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive season. Before last year, Alabama had been to the Elite Eight only once in program history. The glass ceiling of the Sweet 16 has been shattered by Nate Oats in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama hit 25-of-51 from three-point range, bettering a record 21 made three-pointers by Loyola Marymount 35 years ago in the highest-scoring game in NCAA Tournament history, a 149-115 win over Michigan.
Mark Sears led the way with 34 points and 10-of-16 from three-point range, setting a new Alabama NCAA Tournament record and finishing one three-pointer away from a new NCAA Tournament record, period. Sears had been struggling, connecting on just 5-of-35 from downtown the previous five games.
BYU's defensive strategy gave Alabama ample opportunities to knock down shots. The Cougars packed the paint and seemed content to allow the Crimson Tide to shoot uncontested threes. Alabama made them pay.
Along with Sears, Aden Holloway (six) and Chris Youngblood (five) were hot from deep as well.
Alabama will advance to the Elite Eight and will face the winner of Duke/Arizona on Saturday.
3 Takeaways from Alabama's blowout win over BYU in the Sweet 16
3. BYU's defensive strategy opened the door for Alabama's historic night
Obviously, it takes some high-level shot making to hit 25-of-51 from three-point range. But it wasn't just a high-variance night for the Crimson Tide. Their hot shooting night can be traced directly to the defensive strategy employed by Kevin Young and BYU.
The Cougars seemed terrified of Alabama in the paint, knowing the Crimson Tide prefers firstly to drive the paint and get to the rim. The Tide dominated the paint against both Robert Morris and Saint Mary's. BYU wasn't going to allow them to do that again, but they left the three-point line wide open and Alabama took full advantage.
Mark Sears led the way with a 10-of-16 night from three, but it wasn't just him. Aden Holloway went 6-of-13, connecting on 5-of-6 attempts in the second half as he got hot and helped the Crimson Tide bury the Cougars.
Chris Youngblood hit 5-of-11 from three and both Aiden Sherrell and Labaron Philon connected on two three-pointers apiece.
2. Alabama's defense of the three-point line was just as important as its offense
BYU entered the game as one of the better three-point shooting teams in the country, connecting on 37% of their threes on the season. Alabama employed the exact opposite defensive strategy of BYU, selling out to defend the three-point line and making themselves somewhat vulnerable in the paint as a result.
That strategy worked, however, as the Cougars rarely got off an uncontested look from deep and ended up shooting 6-of-30 (20%) from downtown. BYU dominated the paint, winning paint points 50-16, but anyone who took first grade math knows 3>2.
Alabama's three-point barrage on offense and their ability to defend the three-point line on defense was the difference in the Crimson Tide's 25-point win.
1. Nate Oats has officially removed this program's glass ceiling
Before last season, the Sweet 16 had been a house of horrors for Alabama basketball. In 10 trips to the Sweet 16, the Crimson Tide had gone just 1-9 with the lone win coming during a magical Elite Eight run in 2004.
Now, Alabama is back to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive season and is looking to get back to the Final Four for the second season in a row. This won't be the last time Alabama advances to a Regional Final under Oats. He's one of the best coaches in college basketball and has the ability to identify and develop talent.
It seems like only a matter of time before Oats leads Alabama to the program's first National Championship. That could be as soon as 10 days from now.