Grant Nelson after making Elite Eight: 'This wasn't our end goal'
The Alabama basketball team is rolling into the Elite Eight for just the second time in program history, and the Crimson Tide players are living it up amid all the love.
But only temporarily.
“We’ve been working for this all season. But this wasn’t our end goal,” forward Grant Nelson said. “It’s good we got here. It’s something at the school, we haven’t done, or one other time.”
Alabama advanced to the Elite Eight by securing a thrilling 89-87 win over 1-seed North Carolina on Thursday night. It was an all-hands-on-deck affair, going down to the wire where Nelson helped take over.
Nelson scored a game-high 24 points in the contest, while also securing a double-double with 12 rebounds. He chipped in five blocks, as well, turning in an absolutely dominant all-around performance on both ends.
While Nelson was the focal point, several players were excellent in the win. Guards Aaron Estrada and Rylan Griffen scored 19 points apiece, while leading scorer Mark Sears added 18 points.
The Crimson Tide will need all of those guys if it hopes to advance to the Final Four for the first time ever.
“It’s very historical,” Sears said. “But like coach said, we can celebrate this for like 30 minutes and now we’re on to the next opponent.”
Alabama will hope to be at closer to full health against Clemson on Saturday, but time will tell. Center Nick Pringle came up limping in the game against North Carolina after suffering a heel bruise, so how active and available he will be is key.
Then there’s guard Latrell Wrightsell, who missed the Sweet 16 contest due to a head injury suffered against Grand Canyon in the Round of 32. A ruling on his status has not yet been made.
In any case, Alabama is looking forward to a rematch with Clemson, this time in the Elite Eight. Clemson won the first meeting 85-77 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Today’s game will tip off at 8:49 p.m. ET on TBS.
And while Alabama will celebrate making the Elite Eight, it wants more.
“It’s great,” Nelson said. “We’re going to celebrate it a little bit and then move on, next game.”