Alabama basketball will be a No. 9 seed in the east region of the NCAA Tournament and will play Virginia Tech in the first round in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

It will be Alabama’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012, when the Crimson Tide fell to Creighton in the first round as a No. 9 seed under Anthony Grant.

Alabama was on the bubble until the SEC Tournament. Freshman point guard Collin Sexton hit a buzzer-beater to lift Alabama to a win over Texas A&M in the second round of the tournament. Alabama then beat No. 1 seed Auburn, 81-63, to secure its spot. Alabama ultimately fell to Kentucky in the semifinals.

Overall, Alabama has appeared in 20 NCAA Tournaments. The Crimson Tide made its deepest run in 2004, reaching the Elite Eight. 

This season, Virginia Tech is 21-11 with wins over Virginia, Duke and Clemson this season. Villanova is the No. 1 seed in the east region.

Alabama was one of eight teams from the SEC to make it in the tournament.