San Diego State upsets #1 seed Alabama to reach the Elite Eight

Darion Trammell and San Diego State used a dominant defensive performance to knock overall seed Alabama out of the NCAA Tournament Friday night, only to meet All-American Brandon Miller with a 71-64 win in the Sweet 16.

Trammell scored 21 points while Miller spoiled his stellar season Complications outside the courtHe scored nine points shooting 3-of-19 and had six turnovers.

The fifth-ranked Aztecs (30-6) will face either Creighton or Princeton Sunday in the Western Region Final as they seek their first Final Four in program history. With fellow No. 1 seeds Purdue and Kansas losing during the tournament’s first weekend, Houston—who played Miami on Friday night—was the only seeded team left.

San Diego State vs. Alabama
Adam Seko, #2 of the San Diego State Aztecs, celebrates after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 24, 2023, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Rob Carr/Getty Images


San Diego State trailed 48-39 midway through the second half before taking a 12-0 lead and taking control of the game from there. The Aztecs finished with eight blocked shots – five from Nathan Mensah – and forced 14 turnovers.

The series has clouded March Madness in Alabama (31-6) over its response to the fatal Jan. 15 shooting of a 23-year-old woman in Tuscaloosa, which led to voluntary manslaughter charges against then-Crimson Tide player, Darius Miles.

Miller was at the scene of the shooting and was not charged, but police said in court documents that Miles texted Miller to bring him his gun. Authorities said Miller was a cooperating witness, and did not miss any game time. Miller received armed security protection during the tournament.


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