Alabama forced to play 3-on-5 basketball against Minnesota

Minnesota got the rare 3-on-5 hoops power play.

A benches-clearing altercation during Saturday’s game in Brooklyn between Minnesota and Alabama left the Crimson Tide with no bench for most of the second half.

You read that correctly.

Minnesota gained a clear depth advantage after that, but it got even better for the Golden Gophers minutes later.

When an Alabama player fouled out with just under 12 minutes in the game, it became a 5-on-4 game.

But there’s more.

Later in the half, Alabama’s John Petty injured his right leg and was carried off the court. That left the Tide with just three players.

To Alabama’s credit, they only lost by five points in the end. Still, it made a bad day for Tide fans that much worse.