Instant Takeaways From BYU Basketball’s Sweet 16 Loss To No. 2 Seed Alabama

NEWARK, N.J. – The ‘Big Dance’ came to an end for BYU basketball in the Sweet 16 as they lost to the No. 2 seed Alabama Crimson Tide on Thursday.

It was a bittersweet ending to a memorable season for BYU basketball.

In Kevin Young’s first year as head coach, the Cougars made it to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 14 years in a foundational year for his program.

“An incredible record-setting performance” 👏

The Crimson Tide are Elite 8 bound ‼️ #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/NCJRf8aXYG

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2025

However, the loss was a missed opportunity to advance the Elite Eight for the first time since 1981. BYU lost to Alabama 113-88.

Here are the instant takeaways.

Where was the perimeter defense?

Everyone knew this would be a high-scoring game with two of the best offenses in college basketball. But to allow 12 made three-pointers in the first half, was a little bit jarring.

Then the natural thought was, well, they will cool off. Alabama set an NCAA Tournament record for most made three-pointers in a game with seven minutes remaining.

Alabama passed Loyola Marymount’s record of 21 threes in the early 90s when the Lions defeated Michigan.

Then, with 6:30 remaining in the game, Alabama hit the century mark for points with, you guessed it, another three-pointer. The 23rd of the game.

Alabama is a prolific offense, but to allow a record-setting performance like that was surprising.

Through the first two NCAA Tournament games, Alabama hit a combined 13 three-pointers.

It makes you wonder if BYU played into the hands of Alabama and their style of play. Should they have slowed down the pace?

That’s likely second-guessing, as you have to run with what brought you to this stage. For the first time in a while, it felt like BYU didn’t have the ace up its sleeve to adjust on the fly.

BYU basketball’s season comes to a close.

Alabama 113, BYU 88 pic.twitter.com/2fH20gAGV3

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 28, 2025

Alabama took away the three-point shot from BYU basketball

BYU has been a “pick your poison” type of team this season. If you want to take away the paint, they will thrive from beyond the arc.

The same goes for taking away the three-point line. BYU is one of the best teams in the country from inside the arc.

Alabama was more than happy to allow BYU to shoot twos when they were rewriting the record books from three on their offensive end of the floor.

Alabama nearly made (25) as many three-pointers as BYU attempted in the game (29).

MARK SEARS HITS HIS 10TH TRIPLE 😱#MarchMadness @AlabamaMBB pic.twitter.com/asuvaHgxoa

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2025

To make matters worse for BYU, the few three-point attempts were not falling. BYU shot 1-of-13 from three in the first half. Honestly, it was impressive they were only down 11 at the half with the disparity from three.

BYU showed fight to start the second half, but Alabama always had an answer

BYU opened up the second half with some aggression.

They quickly trimmed the halftime Alabama lead of 11 down to eight after Trevin Knell hit a corner three-pointer. Immediately after Knell hit the three, he was called for a taunting technical foul.

Shortly after that, official Tony Padilla called a blocking foul on Knell that sent the BYU fans inside the Prudential Center into loud boos.

BYU had another brief moment when the deficit was down to eight, but Alabama quickly responded with an Aden Holloway three-pointer to keep them in front by double-figures.

https://t.co/6Cu4Chr6SR pic.twitter.com/M8QI8xxnyF

— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 28, 2025

BYU basketball needed more from the guard line

The BYU guards struggled against Alabama.

Dallin Hall was out of sorts in the first half. He had an airball shot, dribbled the ball off his leg out of bounds, and sailed a pass high above the outstretched hands of Keba Keita.

Egor Demin appeared to be limping after the first defensive series after a hard drive from Alabama’s Grant Nelson. Demin didn’t turn the ball over, but was only 2-of-5 from the field with just two assists.

Then in the second half, Demin began gaining some momentum getting downhill and attacking the basket. But it wasn’t anywhere close to enough.

BYU’s production from the guards stood out like a sore thumb when you compare those stat lines to Alabama All-American guard Mark Sears.

Sears was a superstar on Thursday, scoring 17 points on nine field goal attempts in the first half. He knocked down five 3-pointers and dished out five assists while generating two steals on the defensive end.

In the second half, reserve guard Aden Holloway kept hitting dagger threes that put the game out of reach from BYU.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.

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