The Alabama Crimson Tide have done it. For the first time in nearly three decades, they are headed to the Elite Eight after their massive upset victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels, 89-87.
This historic victory was thanks in large part to senior forward Grant Nelson, whose eye-opening performance featured not one, but two game-sealing blocks in the dying moments of the game.
Alabama Crimson Tide’s Grant Nelson Comes Up BIG Vs. North Carolina
Nelson’s first clutch block came with less than half a minute remaining in the game. Tar Heels guard RJ Davis drove to the basket on what would have been a game-tying attempt. Nelson made sure not to give North Carolina a chance to tie the game up:
THE GRANT NELSON GAME. ™️#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/IRhhaFQfCz
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2024
As time expired, the Tar Heels had one final opportunity to win the game with a full-court heave. Once again, Nelson was there to deny their opponents:
NELSON WITH THE BLOCK!
GAME OVER 😤@AlabamaMBB HEADED TO ELITE 8 FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2004 pic.twitter.com/XKe6tBhqvs
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 29, 2024
Nelson finished Thursday’s win with 24 points on 6-of-9 shooting, 12 rebounds, five blocks, and two triples. It was also the 6-foot-10 forward who gave his team the lead with 38.6 seconds remaining with a clutch 3-point play:
BAMA TAKES THE LEAD 😮 pic.twitter.com/7MBWMKm18F
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 29, 2024
What a performance from this young man.
Nelson and the Crimson Tide are now set to face the Clemson Tigers in the next round following the latter’s 77-72 upset win over the Arizona Wildcats on Thursday.
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