No. 18 Alabama Beats No. 1 North Carolina 103
In a stunning upset, No. 18 Alabama Crimson Tide defeated No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels 103-101 in a thrilling overtime battle at the Greensboro Coliseum.
The first half was dominated by North Carolina, who shot a blistering 55% from the field and led by 12 at the break. Led by All-American Armando Bacot, the Tar Heels looked poised to cruise to a comfortable victory.
However, the script flipped in the second half as Alabama turned up the defensive intensity. Brandon Miller and Rylan Griffen combined for six steals and forced numerous turnovers, sparking a 15-point Crimson Tide run early in the period.
With the game tied at 83 at the end of regulation, a thrilling overtime ensued. JD Davison hit a clutch three-pointer to give Alabama a 90-87 lead, but North Carolina's Caleb Love responded with a jumper of his own.
The Tar Heels had a chance to win it with a last-second shot, but Bacot's layup attempt rolled off the rim. Noah Gurley secured the rebound for Alabama and sealed the improbable victory with a free throw.
The win marks a significant turning point for Alabama, who has struggled with consistency since losing star forward Darius Miles to injury earlier this season. Miller, who finished with a game-high 22 points, said the team "found a new level of toughness" in the second half.
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Miller, Alabama | 22 | 7 | 3 |
| Rylan Griffen, Alabama | 15 | 5 | 6 |
| Armando Bacot, North Carolina | 19 | 11 | 2 |
| Caleb Love, North Carolina | 18 | 3 | 5 |
No. 18 Alabama's upset victory over No. 1 North Carolina sends a shockwave through the college basketball landscape. The Crimson Tide have proven they are a team to be reckoned with and a potential contender in the NCAA Tournament.
The Tar Heels, meanwhile, will need to regroup and find a way to recover from this disappointing loss. With the ACC Tournament looming, North Carolina will need to find a way to regain their rhythm and form.
As the college basketball season enters its final stretch, the upset in Greensboro serves as a reminder that anything can happen in March Madness.