Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg Seeks Revenge Against Alabama After Transfer Portal Snub Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg is approaching the Sweet 16 matchup against Alabama with a mix of determination and unresolved feelings over his recruitment history. During a press conference on Thursday, Lendeborg revealed that the Crimson Tide, his third-round opponent, had been a top target for him after leaving the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) last year. Despite his hopes, Alabama did not recruit him, a decision that left him feeling “a little bit” hurt, though he emphasized there was no lingering resentment. Lendeborg’s journey began when he entered the transfer portal after two seasons at UAB, where he played a pivotal role in the team’s 2024 NCAA tournament run. He had hoped Alabama would show interest, but the Crimson Tide’s lack of outreach frustrated him. “Once I entered the transfer portal out of UAB, I was hoping to get recruited by Alabama. And when I didn’t, it kind of hurt me a little bit,” he said, adding that the rejection “bothered me” but did not lead to bitterness. Instead, he joined the No. 1-seeded Wolverines, now facing Alabama in the Sweet 16. The matchup carries personal weight for Lendeborg, who described the game as an opportunity for “extra motivation.” He acknowledged the emotional stakes but clarified that his focus remains on the team’s performance. “Not in the sense where I’m like, ‘This is what you guys missed out on,’ but like, you guys could have at least called,” he said. “There’s no bad blood. Maybe I didn’t fit the system.” Alabama head coach Nate Oats confirmed the team had reached out to Lendeborg but admitted the recruitment process was brief. “We did make a call. It never got very deep,” Oats said.#alabama_crimson_tide #michigan_wolverines #yaxel_lendeborg #nate_oats #university_of_alabama_birmingham
Sweet Sixteen Game Thread: Tide vs Michigan The underdog fourth-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide are set to face the top-seeded Michigan Wolverines in a Sweet Sixteen matchup. Coach Dusty May’s team, which boasts one of the most financially supported rosters in the nation, will need to overcome a formidable opponent. Michigan’s squad is considered just as strong as the UConn and Duke teams that previously ended Alabama’s NCAA Tournament runs. The Crimson Tide will have to rely on their full potential to defeat the Wolverines and secure a spot in the program’s third consecutive Elite Eight.#alabama_crimson_tide #ncaa_tournament #dusty_may #michigan_wolverines #sweet_sixteen
Taylor Bol Bowen Healthy and Confident for Alabama in Postseason TAMPA, Fla.—Taylor Bol Bowen, a 6-10 forward for the Alabama Crimson Tide, has returned to full health and is showing confidence as the team heads into postseason play. After transferring from Florida State, Bowen faced significant challenges this season due to injuries, missing five games and struggling with consistency during SEC play. However, he has since regained his form, contributing key performances as Alabama advances in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Bowen’s return has been critical for Alabama, which has relied on his scoring and defensive presence. In a Round of 64 victory over Hofstra, he scored 15 points, demonstrating his ability to impact the game both offensively and defensively. Despite only grabbing two rebounds, he added three blocks, showcasing his versatility. Coach Nate Oats praised Bowen’s resurgence, noting that his presence elevates the team’s depth and competitiveness. “To get him to play that well makes us a totally different team,” Oats said. “When our front court has depth and they’re playing extremely well, we’re a different team.” Bowen’s journey to health has been arduous. He admitted to missing a substantial amount of practice and games due to multiple injuries, which hindered his ability to contribute consistently. “It made it really difficult, especially during SEC play,” he said. “I missed a ton of practice, a few games, and a handful of games I was going in and out dealing with multiple injuries.” However, he expressed relief at finally being healthy and ready to compete. “I’m just glad to be able to be healthy now, to be able to compete,” he said. The 2026 NCAA Tournament marks Bowen’s first opportunity to play in the event, as he was unable to participate during his two seasons at Florida State.#alabama_crimson_tide #ncaa_tournament #march_madness #nate_oats #taylor_bol_bowen
NCAA Tournament Game Thread: Alabama v Texas Tech The final contest of the opening weekend of the 2026 NCAA Tournament is set to take place as the fourth-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide face off against the fifth-seeded Texas Tech Red Raiders. This matchup promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the first two rounds of the tournament, with both teams boasting high-powered offenses despite the absence of key players such as Alabama’s Aden Holloway and Texas Tech’s JT Toppin. For Alabama, the game represents a critical opportunity to extend its streak of consecutive appearances in the second weekend of the tournament. The Crimson Tide are aiming for their fourth straight trip to the second round under head coach Nate Oats, a feat that would mark the program’s fifth overall appearance in the tournament under his leadership in just seven seasons. Prior to Oats’ arrival, Alabama had only eight Sweet Sixteen appearances in its history. To achieve this milestone, the Tide will need to leverage their physical advantages and athletic depth against a Texas Tech squad that plans to rely heavily on its shooting accuracy throughout the game. The matchup highlights the competitive nature of the tournament, with both teams showcasing their ability to adapt and thrive in high-stakes environments. As the opening weekend concludes, the outcome of this game will set the stage for the next phase of the NCAA Tournament, underscoring the intensity and unpredictability that define the event.#alabama_crimson_tide #ncaa_tournament #nate_oats #texas_tech_red_raidors #sweet_sixteen
Alabama vs. Texas Tech Odds, Prediction: 2026 NCAA Tournament Picks from Proven Model The second-round matchup in the 2026 NCAA Tournament will feature the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide facing the No. 5 Texas Tech Red Raiders on Sunday. Alabama enters the game after a 90-70 victory over Hofstra in the first round, with a 24-9 overall record. Texas Tech secured its spot with a 91-71 win against Akron, posting a 23-10 season record. The game is set for 9:45 p.m. ET at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, marking the final contest of the Midwest Region’s second-round slate. Texas Tech is listed as 1.5-point favorites in the latest odds, a slight shift from Alabama’s initial 1.5-point advantage. The game’s total points are projected at 164.5, the highest among all Sunday second-round matchups, reflecting a 10-point increase over the previous season’s totals. The matchup’s high total suggests a potentially offensive game, with both teams showing strong scoring capabilities in recent contests. SportsLine’s Projection Model, which has demonstrated consistent success in NCAA Tournament predictions, has analyzed the matchup extensively. The model has simulated the game 10,000 times, concluding that the total points will likely exceed the over/under. Additionally, the model identifies one side of the spread as having a greater than 50% chance of success, though the exact outcome remains uncertain. The model’s track record includes a 11-1 performance on over/under picks since last year and a 28-22 record on top-rated college basketball side picks. These results highlight its reliability in predicting tournament outcomes. For fans seeking guidance on betting or game strategy, the model’s insights provide a data-driven approach to navigating the matchup.#alabama_crimson_tide #ncaa_tournament #sportsline #benchmark_international_arena #texas_tech_red_raiders
SEC Men’s Basketball Conference Tournament: Full Schedule, Bracket and How to Watch The SEC men’s basketball conference tournament kicks off on Wednesday, featuring 16 teams competing for a chance to advance to the NCAA tournament. The top four teams from the regular season receive byes to the quarterfinals, avoiding the first round until Friday. This year’s tournament will determine which teams secure favorable seeding for the NCAA tournament, with the reigning champions Florida aiming to defend their title and secure a No. 1 seed. The tournament’s final regular season standings will shape the bracket, with teams ranked based on their conference records. The bracket structure includes first-round matchups on March 11, followed by second-round games on March 12, quarterfinals on March 13, semifinals on March 14, and the championship game on March 15. Key matchups will determine which teams advance to the NCAA tournament, with underdog teams hoping to make a dramatic run and established powerhouses like Florida and Alabama vying for dominance. The first round on March 11 features four games, including No. 9 Kentucky facing No. 16 LSU, No. 12 Auburn vs. No. 13 Mississippi State, No. 10 Texas vs. No. 15 Ole Miss, and No. 11 Oklahoma vs. No. 14 South Carolina. All first-round games will air on SEC Network, with specific times listed for each matchup. The second round on March 12 will see the winners of these games face off against higher-ranked teams, with the schedule adjusted to accommodate the earlier games. Quarterfinals on March 13 will feature the top-seeded Florida Gators, who will face the winner of the No. 8 Missouri vs. No. 9 Kentucky matchup. Other quarterfinal games include No. 4 Vanderbilt vs. the winner of the No. 5 Tennessee vs. No. 12 Auburn game, No. 2 Alabama vs.#alabama_crimson_tide #arkansas_razorbacks #sec_men_basketball #florida_gators #kentucky_kentuckies
Former Alabama Football Offensive Lineman Ryan Kelly Announces NFL Retirement Ryan Kelly, a former Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman, has officially announced his retirement from the NFL. This marks the second consecutive week that a former Alabama offensive lineman has stepped away from professional football, following the retirement of Bradley Bozeman in late February. Kelly’s decision to retire was shared through a social media post, signaling the end of his 10-year NFL career. Over the course of his professional tenure, Kelly played for two teams, the Indianapolis Colts and the Minnesota Vikings. From 2016 to 2025, he started all 129 games he appeared in, showcasing his consistency and reliability on the field. His most notable achievements came during his time with the Colts, where he was selected to the Pro Bowl four times as a center. These selections highlight his impact as a key player in the league’s offensive line. Kelly was drafted in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft after a standout college career at the University of Alabama. He spent five seasons with the Crimson Tide from 2011 to 2015, during which he helped the team secure three national championships. His collegiate performance earned him recognition, including the 2015 Rimington Trophy, which is awarded to the nation’s top college offensive lineman. Throughout his NFL career, Kelly’s dedication to the game and his ability to adapt to different team dynamics were evident. His retirement comes after a decade of service, leaving a legacy of leadership and resilience on the field.#ryan_kelly #minnesota_vikings #indianapolis_colts #alabama_crimson_tide #bradley_bozeman
