Watch: No. 4 Alabama stuns No. 1 North Carolina in Sweet 16

Alabama HC Nate Oats talks with forward Sam Walters and guard Mark Sears Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Massive three-point swing helps No. 4 Alabama stun No. 1 North Carolina in Sweet 16

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 3/29/24

Alabama secured its first trip to the Elite Eight after a massive three-point swing late in the second half helped the Crimson Tide pull away from No. 1 North Carolina in a shocker, 89-87, in the Sweet 16.

North Carolina led Thursday's Sweet 16 contest by one point, 85-84, with a minute remaining in regulation. However, Jae'Lyn Withers followed an inexplicable three-point attempt with 15 seconds left on the shot clock with a foul on the other end, leading to a three-point play for Alabama.

GRANT NELSON IS ON FIRE

BAMA LEADS AGAIN.#MarchMadness @AlabamaMBB pic.twitter.com/DqRZvQRA1m
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2024

Center Grant Nelson sank the free throw to complete the and-one, giving Alabama a two-point lead, 87-85. After the Tar Heels missed on the ensuing possession, Nelson sank two more free throws to extend the lead to four and all but assure victory.

But, following a layup by Armando Bacot to cut the deficit to two for North Carolina, Nelson missed what would have been the game-sealer from the charity stripe with only one second remaining. He secured the win, anyway, rejecting the Tar Heels Hail Mary attempt from across the court.

NO. 4 ALABAMA UPSETS NO. 1 UNC

BAMA IS HEADED TO THE ELITE 8 FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 20 YEARS ‼️ pic.twitter.com/Kd5jHxvTPN
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 29, 2024

Nelson finished with a game-high 24 points to go along with 12 rebounds and five blocks. Aaron Estrada (19 points), Rylan Griffin (19 points) and Mark Sears (18) all likewise finished in double-figures for Alabama.

For the Crimson Tide, this marks only the program's second trip to the Elite Eight and first since 2004. They'll take on No. 6 Clemson, who upset No. 2 Arizona earlier on Thursday, for the right to play in the Final Four.

Meanwhile, despite North Carolina's high hopes for the season, it ended with a thud on Thursday. That should make for one long offseason for the Tar Heels, especially Withers.

More must-reads: