In a commanding display of offensive prowess, the Alabama Crimson Tide secured a 113-88 victory over the BYU Cougars in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16. This win was highlighted by a record-breaking 25 successful three-point shots, surpassing the previous NCAA Tournament record of 21 set by Loyola Marymount in 1990. New York Post+3WSJ+3Reuters+3Mid-Major Madness+5New York Post+5AP News+5
Senior guard Mark Sears led Alabama’s long-range assault, scoring 34 points and connecting on 10 of 16 attempts from beyond the arc. His performance was pivotal in the Crimson Tide’s offensive strategy, which heavily emphasized three-point shooting. Duke Basketball Report+6New York Post+6Reuters+6
Alabama’s head coach, Nate Oats, has long advocated for a high-volume three-point shooting approach, a strategy that was executed to near perfection in this matchup. The team’s 25 successful three-pointers came on 51 attempts, resulting in a 49% success rate from deep. Duke Basketball Report+3WSJ+3AP News+3New York Post+6Reuters+6Mid-Major Madness+6
In contrast, BYU struggled with their perimeter shooting, converting only 6 of 30 attempts from three-point range. Despite a strong inside presence, outscoring Alabama 50-16 in the paint, the Cougars were unable to match the Crimson Tide’s efficiency from beyond the arc. New York PostReuters
This victory propels Alabama to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive year, marking a significant achievement in the program’s history. They are set to face the winner of the Duke vs. Arizona matchup, with aspirations of reaching the Final Four once again. AP NewsReuters+3New York Post+3Mid-Major Madness+3
The game serves as a testament to the effectiveness of Alabama’s offensive philosophy and underscores the impact of strategic three-point shooting in modern college basketball.