The confetti has settled in Phoenix and a new king reigns in college basketball. The Michigan Wolverines, after a dominant March Madness run, captured the 2026 NCAA Championship by defeating UConn. Their path to the title included a hard-fought 90-77 victory over Nate Oats’s Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sweet 16, a game where Alabama was the only team all tournament to hold a halftime lead over the eventual champs.

While the season ended short of the ultimate goal, the Crimson Tide’s final ranking reflects a year of significant achievement. In the season’s final USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Alabama climbed two spots to finish at No. 16 nationally. This rise caps a 25-10 campaign that saw the Tide go 13-5 in the rugged SEC and secure their fifth Sweet 16 appearance in the last six years—a remarkable testament to the program’s sustained excellence under Oats.

The future in Tuscaloosa looks bright, as Athletic Director Greg Byrne recently secured Oats with a contract extension that places him among the five highest-paid coaches in the sport. This commitment signals Alabama’s intent to remain a national powerhouse.

Alabama was one of six SEC teams to earn a spot in the final poll, highlighting the conference's depth. Florida led the conference contingent at No. 9, followed by Tennessee (No. 12), Arkansas (No. 13), Vanderbilt (No. 17), and Texas (No. 24). Finishing at No. 16, the Crimson Tide have firmly re-established their standard, proving once again they belong among the nation’s elite and setting the stage for another thrilling run next season.