Alabama was knocked out of March Madness in the tournament’s biggest shock yet after defeating No. 1 San Diego State 71-64 to book a spot in the Elite Eight for the first time in school history.
Crimson Tide star Brandon Miller endured a nightmare night out in Louisville, Kentucky, leaving the field with a dismal 3-19 and scoring just nine points.
For San Diego State, it was Darrion Trammell who had the best score with 21 points and helped his team to a 71-64 win, their first victory over a No. 1 seed in an NCAA tournament.
Incredibly, moments later, Miami beat Houston, making 2023 the first-ever March Madness tournament without a No. 1 in the Elite Eight.
The Aztecs were hugely impressive in the Sweet 16 match, limiting Bama to less than 33 percent of total shooting with Miller being the standout fighter.
San Diego State players celebrate after beating the No. 1 seed of Alabama in March Madness
Keshad Johnson reacts to the buzzer after making history with the Aztecs in Kentucky on Friday
Controversial Brandon Miller dribbles the ball during play
Alabama players look shocked in the dying seconds of the loss to San Diego State
Just weeks after he was linked to the fatal shooting of 23-year-old mother Jamea Jonae Harris – for which his former teammate Darius Miles was charged with murder – Miller failed to match the height of what was likely to be his last college game .
It took him 12 minutes to secure his first basket on a night 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 favorite to win the national championship, and after several other big seeds fell early, fortune seemed to be working in their favor.
However, San Diego State had other ideas, leading to a major shock, and the fifth-placed players will face either Creighton or Princeton in Sunday’s West Region Finals as they seek their first Final Four in program history.
About 30 minutes later, the last remaining No. 1 in the tournament, Houston, lost to Miami 89-75. The other top seeds, Purdue and Kansas, lost in the tournament’s opening weekend.
San Diego State trailed 48-39 midway through the second half before starting a 12-0 run and controlling the game from there. The Aztecs ended with eight blocked shots – five by Nathan Mensah – and forced 14 turnovers.
Alabama’s March Madness run (31-6) was marred by his response to the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old woman in Tuscaloosa on Jan. 15, which led to a murder charge against then-Crimson Tide player Darius Miles .
Miller was at the scene of the shooting and was not charged, but police have said in court documents that Miles texted Miller to get him his gun. Authorities said Miller was a cooperating witness and he did not miss any playing time. Miller has received armed security protection throughout the tournament.
It was a tough 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 game
San Diego State entered the game as an underdog, No. 5 versus No. 1
Mark Sears had 16 points and Jahvon Quinerly and Charles Bediako had 10 each for Alabama, which was 32% overall and a miserable 3-of-27 (11.1%) from 3-point range. The Crimson Tide missed out on finishing second in the Elite Eight in school history.
“Alabama is a great team. They have a lot of talented players and individuals,” said Trammell. “We knew it was going to be difficult. It was a dogfight. Very physical.’
Sears’ layup put Alabama within 66-64 with 46 seconds remaining, but Matt Bradley made two free throws and Micah Parrish followed three of four tries, including two by 17 seconds.
Jaedon LeDee finished with 12 points for the Aztecs.
San Diego State shot just 38% overall and was passed 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 spur on his experienced team, who maintained their physical game and thwarted any attempt by The Tide to collect themselves.