How Saint Mary’s lost to Alabama in the second round of the NCAA March Madness

March Madness is the time when college basketball fans can expect the unexpected, but some outcomes feel almost inevitable. Alabama’s victory over Saint Mary’s in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament was one of those performances that, despite being competitive at times, never felt in doubt. The Crimson Tide proved to be the superior team in nearly every aspect of the game, overcoming a stubborn Saint Mary’s squad with a combination of athleticism, defense, and depth.

In this game, Alabama, the No. 1 seed in the South Region, squared off against Saint Mary’s, the No. 8 seed. While Saint Mary’s had earned their place in the tournament with an impressive resume, it was clear early on that Alabama’s dynamic offense and suffocating defense would be difficult for the Gaels to overcome. Here’s a closer look at how Alabama cruised to a 79-63 victory, advancing to the Sweet 16.

Setting the Stage: Expectations and Pressure

Heading into the second round, Alabama was widely regarded as one of the most complete teams in the tournament. With a roster full of high-caliber players and a fast-paced, efficient offensive system, they were the clear favorites to make a deep run. Coach Nate Oats has built a team that can overwhelm opponents with its speed, athleticism, and ability to shoot from all over the floor. The Crimson Tide had also been playing with a chip on their shoulder, determined to prove that they were the best team in the country.

On the other side, Saint Mary’s had earned their spot as a legitimate contender after finishing a solid regular season in the West Coast Conference (WCC). They had a reputation for disciplined basketball and tough defense, with head coach Randy Bennett instilling a methodical, team-oriented approach. Saint Mary’s entered the game as heavy underdogs, but they had previously shown they could hold their own against powerhouses in the tournament.

The Game Plan: Alabama’s Strengths Shine

The opening minutes of the game confirmed the expectations for Alabama’s offensive firepower. The Crimson Tide immediately pushed the pace, testing Saint Mary’s defense with fast breaks and quick ball movement. Alabama’s transition game has been one of the most dangerous in the country, and they wasted no time using it to their advantage.

Led by Brandon Miller, the SEC Player of the Year, and Jahvon Quinerly, the experienced guard who has been clutch for Alabama in big moments, the Tide was able to create wide-open looks early. Miller, who has been a standout throughout the season and a potential top pick in the NBA Draft, proved why he’s one of the most coveted players in the country. His length, skill, and scoring ability were on full display, as he found ways to get his shot off from all over the floor. Whether it was hitting a deep three-pointer or finishing at the rim, Miller was relentless, finishing with 22 points and playing a critical role in Alabama’s success.

While Miller was the focal point of Alabama’s offense, it was the overall balance and depth of the team that set them apart. Jahvon Quinerly was a key contributor as well, orchestrating the offense and keeping the flow moving. He scored 14 points and was a steady hand in the backcourt, helping Alabama keep control of the game and avoid any runs from Saint Mary’s. The two guards, along with Noah Clowney and Mark Sears, provided a well-rounded offensive attack that Saint Mary’s struggled to contain.

Saint Mary’s Defense Holds Strong Early, but Alabama Breaks Through

The game began with Saint Mary’s doing what they do best—playing disciplined defense and trying to control the tempo. The Gaels kept the score close for the first 10 minutes, using their experience and defensive discipline to limit Alabama’s fast breaks and force tough shots. Alabama’s offense, which typically thrives on pushing the pace, was forced into a more half-court style in the early going. This is where Saint Mary’s defense showed its value, as they kept Alabama from running away with the game.

However, it became apparent that while Saint Mary’s could slow Alabama’s offense at times, they were not able to consistently stop the Tide. Every time Saint Mary’s managed to keep the game close, Alabama found another gear. Their defense was just as impressive as their offense. Alabama was able to contest shots, limit second-chance opportunities, and force Saint Mary’s into difficult positions.

A major factor in Alabama’s ability to break through was their defensive pressure on Saint Mary’s. The Gaels, known for their methodical offense, were repeatedly disrupted by Alabama’s size and athleticism. Alabama’s defenders, particularly Clowney, who was a beast in the paint, made it difficult for Saint Mary’s to score in the post. Charles Bediako, Alabama’s shot-blocking center, also had a huge impact, erasing several potential scoring attempts and forcing Saint Mary’s into contested jump shots.

Saint Mary’s was limited to just 34% shooting from the floor in the first half, with their offensive rhythm completely disrupted by Alabama’s stifling defense. Despite a couple of nice runs and solid play from guard Logan Johnson and forward Aidan Mahaney, who led Saint Mary’s with 16 points each, the Gaels never truly had the offensive firepower to keep up with the Tide.

Key Moments: Alabama Takes Control

As the first half progressed, Alabama began to assert its dominance. After a back-and-forth start, the Crimson Tide managed to string together a series of baskets that gave them a comfortable lead. The highlight of this stretch came when Brandon Miller drained back-to-back three-pointers, one of them from well beyond the arc, to extend the lead to double digits. Miller’s ability to stretch the floor was too much for Saint Mary’s to handle, and at that point, the momentum fully shifted toward Alabama.

Saint Mary’s briefly attempted a comeback with some timely shooting from Mahaney and a couple of key plays from Johnson, but Alabama quickly quelled any hopes of an upset. The Tide’s size, length, and depth proved too overwhelming as they went on a 10-2 run toward the end of the first half to take a 42-28 lead into the locker room.

Second Half: Alabama’s Depth Seals the Win

The second half began with Saint Mary’s showing heart, trying to mount a challenge by tightening up their defense and slowing the pace of the game. The Gaels were able to limit Alabama’s fast breaks and force some turnovers early in the second half, but they could not capitalize on their defensive success. Every time they got a stop, Alabama answered with timely shots or key plays that kept their lead safe.

Jahvon Quinerly took over in the second half, running the offense with precision and making a number of critical plays. His combination of passing and scoring made it difficult for Saint Mary’s to double-team Miller, as Quinerly’s ability to break down the defense provided Alabama with an extra layer of offensive firepower. In the second half, Quinerly added 9 points and orchestrated several key possessions to keep Alabama ahead.

As Saint Mary’s continued to fight, Alabama’s depth began to shine. The Tide’s bench, which includes strong contributors like Mark Sears, who chipped in 11 points, made sure that Alabama had fresh legs and energy throughout the game. This depth wore down the Gaels, who were forced to rely heavily on their starting five. Saint Mary’s struggled to find consistent scoring options outside of their core players, and the lack of bench production became an issue as the game wore on.

Closing Moments: Alabama’s Defensive Lockdown

With the game winding down, Alabama’s defense sealed the victory. The Crimson Tide managed to limit Saint Mary’s to just 35% shooting in the second half, and they kept the Gaels from mounting any kind of sustained offensive attack. Every time Saint Mary’s tried to make a run, Alabama would come up with a critical stop or score a key basket.

Alabama’s defense was epitomized by Bediako, who rejected several shots and dominated the paint, ensuring that Saint Mary’s never had easy access to the rim. On the offensive end, Alabama’s ball movement and spacing allowed them to continue finding open shots, and they eventually stretched their lead to 16 points with under five minutes left. The Gaels had no answer, and Alabama cruised to a 79-63 victory.

Postgame Reflection: Alabama’s Potential

The victory over Saint Mary’s is yet another testament to Alabama’s complete and balanced game. They have the defensive ability to stifle teams like Saint Mary’s, while also having the offensive firepower to outgun most opponents. With players like Brandon Miller, Jahvon Quinerly, and Noah Clowney leading the way, Alabama has the potential to go all the way to the Final Four and beyond.

Alabama’s defense, combined with its depth and versatility, makes them one of the most dangerous teams in the tournament. If they continue to play with this level of intensity, they are a team capable of making a deep run toward the national championship.

As Alabama moves forward to the Sweet 16, the focus will shift to their next opponent. But one thing is clear: the Crimson Tide is a team to be reckoned with, and they have firmly established themselves as one of the favorites in this year’s March Madness.