North Carolina guard RJ Davis drives to the basket between Alabama forward Grant Nelson and forward Nick Pringle during the second half of a Sweet 16 college basketball game in the NCAA tournament Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. – Alabama's mantra for this NCAA Tournament is next — as in the next play, next game, next everything. What's next for the Crimson Tide is the second Elite Eight in school history.
Mark Sears, Alabama's leading scorer this season, finished with 18 points after making just two field goals in the second half when Nelson dominated. Armando Bacot scored inside with 1 second left, leaving North Carolina trailing 89-87. The Tar Heels fouled Nelson again with 0.9 seconds left. He missed both and time expired on the blueblood Tar Heels, who own six national championships.
“I just wasn’t good enough, missed a lot of easy shots that I normally make,” Davis said, his voice trailing off as he lowered his head and rubbed his eyes. Alabama trailed 54-46 at halftime. Nelson and Sam Walters combined to score nine of Alabama’s first 13 points to take a 59-57 lead. The Tar Heels struggled early when big man Bacot picked up his third foul five minutes in, but they tied it at 59-all on a basket by Harrison Ingram.