Darrion Trammell and San Diego State used a dominant defensive performance to knock top overall seed Alabama out of the NCAA tournament on Friday night, overrunning All-America freshman Brandon Miller in a 71-64 victory in the Sweet 16.
Trammell scored 21 points, while Miller, whose outstanding season was overshadowed by off-the-court complications, was held to nine points on 3-of-19 shooting and had six turnovers.
The fifth-seeded Aztecs (30-6) will face either Creighton or Princeton in Sunday’s West 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 — which played Miami on Friday night — was the only top-seeded team remaining.
San Diego State was trailing 48–39 in the second half, followed by a 12–0 run and controlled the game from there. The Aztecs finished with eight blocked shots – five by Nathan Mensah – and forced 14 turnovers.
Alabama’s (31-6) March Madness run was marred by its response to the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old woman in Tuscaloosa on Jan. 15, which led to a capital murder charge against Darius Miles, a then-Crimson Tide player. ,
Miller was at the scene of the shooting and has not been charged, but police say in court documents that Miles texted Miller to bring his gun. Officials have said that Miller is a cooperating witness, and he did not miss any playing time. Miller has received armed security protection during the tournament.
Mark Sears had 16 points and Jahvon Queenerly and Charles Bediaco scored 10-10 for Alabama, who shot 32% overall and a pathetic 3 of 27 (11.1%) from 3-point range. The Crimson Tide fell short of the second Elite Eight berth in school history.
“Alabama has a great team. They have a lot of talented players and individuals,” Trammell said. “We knew it was going to be tough. It was a dogfight. Very physical.
Sears’ layup got Alabama within 66–64 with 46 seconds remaining, but Matt Bradley made two free throws and Micah Parish made three of four attempts with 17 seconds remaining.
Jadon finished with 12 points for the Lady Aztecs.