Alabama has been dumped out of March Madness in the biggest shock of the tournament so far, after San Diego State downed the No 1 seed 71-64 to book a spot in the Elite Eight for the first time in school history.
The Crimson Tide’s star man Brandon Miller suffered a nightmare evening in Louisville, Kentucky, going a dismal 3-19 from the field and scoring just nine points.
For San Diego State, it was Darrion Trammell who top-scored with 21 points, helping his side to a 71-64 win, their first ever over a No 1 seed at the NCAA Tournament.
Incredibly, a few moments later, Miami beat Houston, meaning 2023 is the first ever March Madness tournament without a No 1 seed in the Elite Eight.
The Aztecs were hugely impressive in the Sweet 16 match-up, limiting Bama to less than 33 percent overall shooting, with Miller the stand-out struggler.
San Diego State players celebrate after downing the No 1 seed Alabama at March Madness
Keshad Johnson reacts at the buzzer after making history with the Aztecs in Kentucky Friday
Brandon Miller, who has been shrouded in controversy, dribbles the ball during the game
The Alabama players look shocked in the final seconds of the defeat to San Diego State
Just weeks after being linked to the fatal shooting of 23-year-old mother Jamea Jonae Harris – for which his former teammate Darius Miles was indicted on capital murder charges – Miller failed to hit the heights in what is expected to be his final ever college game.
He took 12 minutes to secure his first basket, on a night in which the Crimson Tide finished with 14 turnovers and just 3-for-27 from three-point range.
Alabama went into the NCAA Tournament as the overall favorites to win the national championship, and after some other huge seeds fell early, it appeared fate was working in their favor.
San Diego State had other ideas though, producing a huge shock, and the fifth-seeds will face either Creighton or Princeton on Sunday in the West Region final as they seek their first Final Four in program history.
Roughly 30 minutes later, the tournament’s final remaining No. 1 seed, Houston, lost 89-75 to Miami. The other top seeds, Purdue and Kansas, lost during the tournament’s opening weekend.
San Diego State trailed 48-39 midway through the second half before going on a 12-0 run and controlling the game from there. The Aztecs finished with eight blocked shots – five by Nathan Mensah – and forced 14 turnovers.
The March Madness run of Alabama (31-6) was clouded by its response to the January 15 fatal shooting of a 23-year-old woman in Tuscaloosa, which led to capital murder charges against a then-Crimson Tide player, Darius Miles.
Miller was at the scene of the shooting and has not been charged, but police have said in court documents that Miles texted Miller to bring him his gun. Authorities have said Miller is a cooperating witness, and he did not miss any playing time. Miller has received armed security protection during the tournament.
It was a rough affair in Louisville, Kentucky; Mark Sears reacts after suffering an eye injury
Alabama coach Nate Oats barks instructions from the side of the court during the match-up
San Diego State went into the game as rank outsiders, as a No 5 seed playing a No 1 seed
Mark Sears had 16 points and Jahvon Quinerly and Charles Bediako scored 10 each for Alabama, which shot 32% overall and a miserable 3 of 27 (11.1%) from 3-point range. The Crimson Tide fell short of the second Elite Eight berth in school history.
‘Alabama’s a great team. They have a lot of talented players and individuals,’ Trammell said. ‘We knew it was going to be hard. It was a dogfight. Very physical.’
Sears’ layup got Alabama within 66-64 with 46 seconds remaining, but Matt Bradley made two free throws and Micah Parrish followed by making three of four attempts, including two with 17 seconds left.
Jaedon LeDee finished with 12 points for the Aztecs.
San Diego State shot just 38% overall and was outrebounded 52-48, but made clutch shots to rally when Alabama seemed in control behind a faster pace after halftime.
A technical foul on Aztecs coach Brian Dutcher also seemed to spark his seasoned team, which maintained its physical play and thwarted every attempt by the Tide to rally.
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