From The Tribune staff reports
TUSCALOOSA — The Alabama men’s basketball team is back in the big dance for the first time since 2018.
The No. 6-ranked Crimson Tide started its Sunday with an 80-79 victory over LSU in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game and later landed a No. 2-seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament.
Alabama (24-6) will draw No. 15-seed Iona (12-5) in the first round on Saturday, March 20. The Iona Gaels, led by head coach Rick Pitino, won the MAAC Championship Game Saturday.
The winner of Alabama-Iona will play the winner of 7-seed UCONN vs. 10-seed Maryland in the second round of the east region.
This will be Alabama’s 21st NCAA tournament appearance.