Alabama Crimson Tide 62, Colorado Buffaloes 61
Unsurprisingly, this game went right down to the wire. The Tide defense held the offensively efficient Buffaloes to only 40% shooting while shooting 50% themselves. They forced 16 turnovers, five on Marcus Relphorde, with Trevor Releford gathering four steals. Jamychal Green led Alabama with 22 points on 11 of 16 shooting to go with five rebounds, Releford chipped in 13 points and six assists.
However, Alabama was inept at the three point line (2 for 8) and at the charity stripe (4 for 11), and Colorado kept themselves alive with threes (8 for 25) and free throws (13 for 15). Alabama's ability to make Colorado play at their pace (only an average of 58 possessions on the game!) and overall defense on offensively efficient players like Cory Higgins (13 points on 14 shots) and Levi Knutson (14 points on 13 shots) made a big difference in this one. Alec Burks led the Buffs with 20 points, but missed a last second jumper to allow the Tide to advance to the final on Thursday night.
Alabama now heads to the final to take on Wichita State (who beat Washington State) on Thursday night.
For more perspective from Alabama fans, head to Roll Bama Roll; for Colorado perspective, head to Ralphie Report.