Alabama basketball’s March Madness seed, location, and 1st round opponent revealed
For the fifth straight season, Nate Oats has Alabama basketball dancing. It’s just the third time in school history they’ve had an NCAA Tournament streak this long.
Against the nation’s toughest schedule, Alabama went 25-8 and advanced to the SEC Tournament semifinals before losing to Florida. The Crimson Tide’s impressive resume ultimately landed it a 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament, as announced on Selection Sunday. It’s just the fourth time in program history Alabama has been a two seed, and the second time under Oats. Oats also led the Crimson Tide to the program’s only No. 1 seed, which they earned in 2023.
Alabama will head to the East Regional, opening up the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament in Cleveland, Ohio. If Alabama advances to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament, they will play in Newark, New Jersey with a spot in the Final Four in San Antoino on the line.
Who does Alabama play in the NCAA Tournament?
Alabama will open the NCAA Tournament up on Friday against 15-seeded Robert Morris, the champions of the Horizon League.
If the Crimson Tide wins the opening round game, they will play the winner of the 7/10 matchup of St. Mary’s and Vanderbilt in the second round as they look to advance to the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive season.
The path to the Final Four likely runs through the Duke Blue Devils, who expect to have a healthy Cooper Flagg back for the NCAA Tournament. Duke is far and away the No. 1 team in KenPom and would present a tremendous challenge if the Crimson Tide are fortunate enough to make it to the Elite Eight and set up that matchup.
The 3-seed in the East Region is Wisconsin, who could have their hands full with a really good 6-seed in BYU in the second round. One of those two would likely be Alabama’s Sweet 16 opponent if they get there.
Alabama’s path to a deep tournament run got murkier with the injury Grant Nelson suffered against Florida. Nelson will see a specialist on Monday to determine his outlook for March Madness, but the sheer fact that he is seeing a specialist probably doesn’t bode well for his availability, at least for the opening weekend.
You can view the full March Madness bracket here.
