San Diego State storms back from 9-point deficit to upset Alabama, head to Elite 8

The San Diego State Aztecs saved Alabama’s Brandon Miller off his recreation, and it paid dividends.

The fifth-seeded Aztecs upset No. 1 Alabama within the Candy 16, 71-64.

It is the primary Elite 8 look within the college’s historical past, and it was the Aztecs’ first victory over a No. 1 seed.

Alabama was down 5 on the half however went on a 25-11 run to take a nine-point lead. San Diego State answered again with a 23-5 run of its personal, with its lead, like Bama’s, getting as excessive as 9 factors.

Bama lower the deficit to 2 factors with 46.9 factors to go, however that was as shut because the Tide acquired the rest of the night time.

San Diego State Aztecs gamers on the courtroom towards the Alabama Crimson Tide through the Candy 16 of the 2022 NCAA Event at KFC YUM! Heart March 24, 2023, in Louisville, Ky.  (Joe Robbins/NCAA Photographs through Getty Photographs)

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SDSU’s protection paved the way in which to victory. It blocked eight Bama photographs and shut down its greatest participant.

Miller might very properly be a top-three choose within the NBA Draft, however he did not look the half Friday night time. The freshman was simply 3-for-19 from the ground and 1-for-10 from deep.

As a workforce, Alabama was simply 3-for-27 from 3-point lead.

Brandon Miller (24) of the Alabama Crimson Tide controls the ball towards Nathan Mensah (31) of the San Diego State Aztecs through the first half within the Candy 16 of the NCAA Event at KFC YUM! Heart March 24, 2023, in Louisville, Ky.  (Rob Carr/Getty Photographs)

Darrion Trammel led the way in which with 21 factors for San Diego State, who now await the winner of No. 6 Creighton and No. 15 Princeton.