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Alabama basketball Final Four banner unveiled in Coleman Coliseum
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Alabama basketball Final Four banner unveiled in Coleman Coliseum
TUSCALOOSA — There wasn't an empty step to be seen at Coleman Coliseum on Friday night as ticketholders waited to clear the doors for Alabama basketball 's Final Four banner reveal.
Fans have been waiting 188 days to see the Crimson Tide , and it was clear judging by the droves stuffed at the arena's front doors.
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Not to mention the members of Yea Alabama and the Crimson Chaos student section who found themselves lined out to the bridge on Second Ave, even with early entry. Or the lengthy queue for the replica banner and and Final Four poster.
"We're becoming a basketball school here as well, so we need the support," coach Nate Oats said during the ceremony, thanking the fans for their overwhelming attendance.
The University of Alabama unveiled the first banner honoring the school’s first Final Four appearance Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Coleman Coliseum. Alabama head coach Nate Oats presents a Final Four ring to Alabama guard Mark Sears (1).
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He reflected on the days in his first year when the program struggled to fill the arena to how "incredible" it was to celebrate a historic championship appearance now in his sixth.
Alabama basketball treats fans to three-point contest and more before banner reveal
Once the threshold was cleared, peeking around the corner were the jumbotron and a freshly-waxed floor. Sights spawned off team moms sparkling in sequin jerseys and courtside kiddos toting hard hats. A formula that could only mean one thing.
It was time to get to work.
The University of Alabama unveiled the first banner honoring the school’s first Final Four appearance Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Coleman Coliseum. Fans are seen in a beam of light during the event.
And so the Crimson Tide went, but not without a grand entrance. Spotlights danced throughout the crowd as the hype video ran and cheerleaders rustled pom poms, warming up for the team's introduction.
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First came the newcomers, freshmen Labaron Philon, Aiden Sherrell, Naas Cunningham and Derrion Reid, plus transfers Aden Holloway (Auburn), Houston Mallette (Pepperdine), Clif Omoruyi (Rutgers) and Chris Youngblood (South Florida). The Final Four members, forwards Mouhamed Dioubate, Max Scharnowski and Jarin Stevenson, along with guards Mark Sears, Jarin Stevenson, Latrell Wrightsell, received a special introduction of their own.
Sears received the loudest round of applause, Nelson and Oats falling runners-up. Omoruyi was a close second. You could hear how thankful attendees were to finally get a look their coveted big man.
The University of Alabama unveiled the first banner honoring the school’s first Final Four appearance Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Coleman Coliseum. Alabama center Clifford Omoruyi (11) throws down a forceful dunk as he rips past Alabama forward Grant Nelson (4) during the scrimmage portion of the evening.
The real competition began with a three-point contest. Auburn transfer Aden Holloway and Sears thrilled the crowd in the first round, going shot for shot until Sears denied Holloway, 19-18, with a buzzer beater. Fired up, Sears went on to shutdown Mallette in the championship, winning 23-15.
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Next up was the dunk contest. However, it wasn't much of a contest at all after Derrion Reed hopped over mascot Big Al to make the winning basket against finalists Naas Cunningham and Jarin Stevenson.
Then came time to celebrate what "could never, would never be done at the University of Alabama."
The floor cleared and in came a table lined with black velvet boxes, along with Oats, who stood at the end waiting to hand his staff and players some long-awaited bling. When Oats received his ring, last but not least, he gave the stands a fist pump showing off his new hardware.
The University of Alabama unveiled the first banner honoring the school’s first Final Four appearance Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Coleman Coliseum.
Finally, the freshly hung banner was ready to be unveiled. Once the black sheets blanketing it dropped, the new decor was welcomed by the crowd with performances of "Dixieland Delight" and "Sweet Home Alabama."
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Eager to hear the buzzer that officially kicked off another season, Oats wasted no time getting to the scrimmage.
Scrimmage sparks hope for another Final Four run
Before tipoff, Oats told fans, "Cheer for the White team. Cheer for both teams. Cheer for good plays on both sides of the ball."
Omoruyi, who happened to be the birthday boy, decided he wanted more cheers for his special day and proceeded to give Alabama what it's been waiting for:
Daunting dunks and relentless protection around the rim.
The White team won, 61-57. Oats won, too, as he got gleams of the highly-touted Alabama defense he once knew and wanted the crowd to see in the scrimmage.
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Although the one-minute, three-point flurries and two 12-minute halves of action only offered a quick preview, more than just the banner was revealed on Friday
Enter an Alabama team that looks ready to get another one.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama basketball unveils Final Four banner ahead of 2024-25 season
