Alabama makes its first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2006, and it faces Creighton in a first round NCAA Tournament Game.

Coach Anthony Grant is 1-2 in the NCAA tournament, but this is his first trip with the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Alabama basketball team concluded the season as 21-11 with a 9-7 SEC record. Alabama was 6-2 at home in SEC play and 3-5 on the road in conference action. A bright spot is Alabama’s neutral court record. The Alabama basketball team is 4-1 at neutral site games including a wins over Maryland, Wichita State and Purdue in Puerto Rico in November. Alabama concluded the regular season with a strong push with wins over Mississippi State, Arkansas and Auburn.

Anthony Grant said this Alabama squad is “excited to have the opportunity to compete in the NCAA Tournament. We are looking forward to our matchup with Creighton.”

Anthony Grant previews Tide’s NCAA Tournament Game in this audio from the SEC Network. You can play it from the embedded player, or read a brief synopsis below it.

Grant praised Creighton’s accomplishments this year pointing toward the Top 25 ranking and Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championship.

“They are very impressive,” Grant said.
Grant pointed toward Creighton’s balance and coaching as a reason for the team’s success.

Grant said his team would work to keep its focus as it deals with the excitement of being in the tournament.

Grant said he had viewed some tape of Creighton in efforts to prepare for the NCAA Tournament Game.