The No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide survived an upset bid by No. 15 Robert Morris on Friday, winning 90-81 in a fiercely contested first-round matchup of the NCAA tournament.
With a narrow 40-36 lead entering halftime, the Crimson Tide extended their advantage to ten points early in the second half, thanks to a three-pointer by Derrion Reid that made it 56-46. But Robert Morris fought back vigorously, going on a remarkable 19-8 run to snatch the lead at 65-64 with just over seven minutes remaining in the game. This intense battle showcased the strength and determination of both teams.
Alabama, however, wasn’t about to let this game slip away. They quickly regrouped and launched an immediate response, executing an impressive 11-2 run that pushed them back ahead 75-66 with just over three minutes left on the clock.
Mark Sears, Alabama's standout performer, finished the game leading his team with 22 points, supplemented by 5 rebounds and 10 assists. His guidance on the court proved essential for the Crimson Tide in such a tightly contested matchup. Another notable contributor was sophomore forward Mouhamed Dioubate, who delivered a solid performance with 18 points and 10 rebounds coming off the bench.
Despite the best efforts of Robert Morris, led by guard Amarion Dickerson, who scored 25 points on 11-of-22 shooting, the Colonials ultimately fell short. Dickerson's perimeter shooting struggled, as he only managed to convert one of his eight attempts from beyond the arc. Compounding his woes, Dickerson fouled out with just over a minute left in the game, which diminished Robert Morris's chances in the final moments.
After the game, Alabama coach Nate Oats expressed satisfaction with the performance of his players but acknowledged that the match against Robert Morris was far from easy. He remarked, "I give Robert Morris credit; they gave us all we wanted and more. It was a tough game, but my guys stepped up when we needed them to." His sentiments echoed the competitive spirit that defined this matchup.
The Crimson Tide's victory means that they will advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where they await the winner of the upcoming clash between St. Mary’s and Vanderbilt. This victory sets their path towards a potentially deep run in this year's March Madness.
In a related discussion, former player and current broadcaster Charles Barkley made headlines for his criticism of Alabama's handling of Grant Nelson’s injury status before the game. Nelson, who suffered a knee injury that occurred during Alabama's SEC tournament loss to Florida, was warmed up, dressed but did not start against Robert Morris. Oats described him as available if needed, which barked displeasure for Barkley. “I hate it though,” he stated. “They say he’s going to warm up, be dressed, not start the game, and be available if needed. I don’t like when they phrase it that way.” Barkley, known for his straightforward opinions on basketball matters, highlighted that ambiguity in a player’s status can lead to uncertainty among teammates. He emphasized, “If you’re going to warm up, you’re warm. Now you’re going to go back to the bench and cool off, with a leg injury, that makes no sense.” Barkley argued that the coach should make a clear decision on a player's readiness without leaving much doubt in the player's mind.
Despite the speculation about Nelson's health, Barkley stated that Alabama, without Nelson, would still have “no disrespect, you don’t need him to beat Robert Morris.” Indeed, Alabama’s performance reflected that sentiment, demonstrating their depth and capability even with a key player sidelined.
As March Madness progresses, Alabama looks set to prove their resilience and strength. Their victory against Robert Morris is just a steppingstone towards aspiring greatness in the tournament, with many eyes now turned to their next challenge as they strive to advance further in the pursuit of college basketball glory.
