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Alabama

Nate Oats buckles in West Regional championship trophy for flight home to Tuscaloosa

Alex Weberby:Alex Weber•03/31/24
nate-oats-cuts-down-nets-as-alabama-advances-to-first-final-four-in-school-history
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Now that Alabama has made its first Final Four, and Nate Oats will be coaching in his first as well, the Crimson Tide coach made sure the regional trophy was the most secure passenger on the flight back home.

Alabama cut the nets down in the Crypto.com Arena following their Elite 8 victory over Clemson and were presented with the West Region Trophy before leaving Los Angeles to get back to Tuscaloosa, where they’ll prepare for the Final Four next weekend in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Before that eastbound flight took off, Alabama coach Nate Oats made sure the precious cargo was properly secured. Crimson Tide athletic director caught Oats setting the trophy in one of the seats and buckling up its seatbelt to assure a safe ride. Take a look below at the tweet from Byrne:

More on Elite 8 win

After a close contest throughout with the Tide leading for much of the second half, the final few minutes of the second half were absolutely electric, with both teams trading baskets down the stretch.

Alabama sharpshooter Mark Sears found freon coursing through his veins when his team needed it the most down the stretch, draining clutch three after clutch three to help the Crimson Tide pull off one of the biggest wins in school history, 89-82, punching their tickets to their first Final Four ever. After the massive win, Nate Oats got the chance to cut down the nets with his team before hoisting the trophy.