No. 1 North Carolina Falls In Significant NCAA Tournament Upset
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 04: Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts in the second half of the game against the Kansas Jayhawks during the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament National Championship at Caesars Superdome on April 04, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
It didn't happen until the second week of the NCAA Tournament, but a No. 1 seed has finally been eliminated from the field. Unfortunately for North Carolina, it was on the wrong side of the Sweet 16's first major upset
Alabama erased an eight-point deficit at halftime to defeat North Carolina by a final score of 89-87. Grant Nelson gave the Crimson Tide the lead with 38 seconds remaining.
Not only did Nelson make things happen on the offensive side of the floor, he blocked what would've been a game-tying layup from RJ Davis. It was truly a magnificent performance from the 6-foot-11 senior.
Alabama coach Nate Oats raved about his players during his postgame press conference. Although they entered the tournament with zero momentum, they've made their own luck over the past week.
“These guys are bringing their competitive side out at the right time,” Oats said, via ESPN. “You want to be peaking in March and we’re peaking in March.”
North Carolina star Armando Bacot admit that Thursday's loss to Alabama will hurt for a while. The All-ACC center wanted to finish his college career with a national title.
“I’m definitely hurt. I think we all are a little shocked,” Bacot said. “Felt like we hand a chance to win the national championship this year.”
Alabama will face Clemson this Saturday with a spot in the Final Four at stake. That game will tip off at 8:49 p.m. ET.
North Carolina, on the other hand, will be left wondering what could've been.
