Photos: North Carolina basketball falls to Alabama in the NCAA Sweet 16

Robert Willett

The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the University of North Carolina Tar Heels 89-87 in NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 action late Thursday night, March 28 in Dallas.

The Tar Heels, led by RJ Davis and Armando Bacot, were the top seeded team in the West Region coming into the game. The Crimson Tide, was a No. 4 seed. Alabama was led by an outstanding offensive and defensive performance by Grant Nelson.

Here are photos from News & Observer photojournalist Robert Willett of the action during and after the game.

North Carolina’s Cormac Ryan (3) soaks his feet in a cooler inside the Tar Heels’ locker room following their 89-87 loss to Alabama in the West Regional on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Cormac Ryan (3) soaks his feet in a cooler inside the Tar Heels’ locker room following their 89-87 loss to Alabama in the West Regional on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Jae’Lyn Withers (24) covers his head inside the Tar Heels’ locker room following their 89-87 loss to Alabama in the West Regional Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Jae’Lyn Withers (24) covers his head inside the Tar Heels’ locker room following their 89-87 loss to Alabama in the West Regional Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Seth Trimble (7) embraces teammate Zayden High (1) inside the Tar Heels’ locker room following their 89-87 loss to Alabama in the West Regional Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Seth Trimble (7) embraces teammate Zayden High (1) inside the Tar Heels’ locker room following their 89-87 loss to Alabama in the West Regional Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Seth Trimble (7) embraces teammate Harrison Ingram (55) inside the Tar Heels’ locker room following their 89-87 loss to Alabama in the West Regional Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Seth Trimble (7) embraces teammate Harrison Ingram (55) inside the Tar Heels’ locker room following their 89-87 loss to Alabama in the West Regional Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina coach Hubert Davis, Armando Bacot (5), R.J. Davis (4) and Cormac Ryan (3) takes questions during the media following their 89-87 loss to Alabama in the West Regional Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina coach Hubert Davis, Armando Bacot (5), R.J. Davis (4) and Cormac Ryan (3) takes questions during the media following their 89-87 loss to Alabama in the West Regional Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) tugs on his lip as he and teammates R.J. Davis (4) and Cormac Ryan (3) take questions from the media following their 89-87 loss to Alabama in the West Regional Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) tugs on his lip as he and teammates R.J. Davis (4) and Cormac Ryan (3) take questions from the media following their 89-87 loss to Alabama in the West Regional Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4), Paxson Wojcik (8) and Armando Bacot (5) leave the court following their 89-87 loss to Alabama in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4), Paxson Wojcik (8) and Armando Bacot (5) leave the court following their 89-87 loss to Alabama in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
Alabama’s Mark Sears (1) celebrates the Crimson Tide’s 89-87 victory over North Carolina as time expires in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
Alabama’s Mark Sears (1) celebrates the Crimson Tide’s 89-87 victory over North Carolina as time expires in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Zayden High (1) covers his head as Alabama defeats North Carolina 89-87 in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Zayden High (1) covers his head as Alabama defeats North Carolina 89-87 in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4) drives to the basket between Alabama’s Mohamed Wague (11) and Mouhamed Dioubate (10) in the first half in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4) drives to the basket between Alabama’s Mohamed Wague (11) and Mouhamed Dioubate (10) in the first half in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
Alabama’s Mouhamed Dioubate (10) defends North Carolina’s Cormac Ryan (3) in the second half during the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
Alabama’s Mouhamed Dioubate (10) defends North Carolina’s Cormac Ryan (3) in the second half during the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
Alabama’s Grant Nelson (2) reacts after sinking a basket to take a 86-85 lead over North Carolina with 38.6 second to play, securing their victory in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
Alabama’s Grant Nelson (2) reacts after sinking a basket to take a 86-85 lead over North Carolina with 38.6 second to play, securing their victory in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) misses a dunk in the second half against Alabama during the NCAA Sweet 16 on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) misses a dunk in the second half against Alabama during the NCAA Sweet 16 on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Paxson Wojcik (8) reacts after sinking a three point basket in the second half against Alabama during the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Paxson Wojcik (8) reacts after sinking a three point basket in the second half against Alabama during the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
Alabama’s Grant Nelson (2) protect a loose ball from North Carolina’s Seth Trimble (7), Cormac Ryan (3) and Harrison Ingram (55) in the second half during the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
Alabama’s Grant Nelson (2) protect a loose ball from North Carolina’s Seth Trimble (7), Cormac Ryan (3) and Harrison Ingram (55) in the second half during the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) sets a screen form R.J. Davis (4) in the second half against Alabama during the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) sets a screen form R.J. Davis (4) in the second half against Alabama during the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) gets a dunk over Alabama’s Rylan Griffen (3) and Sam Walters (24) in the second half in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) gets a dunk over Alabama’s Rylan Griffen (3) and Sam Walters (24) in the second half in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina coach Hubert Davis directs his team during the first half against Alabama in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina coach Hubert Davis directs his team during the first half against Alabama in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Cormac Ryan (3) reacts after forcing a turnover and sinking a basket to give the Tar Heels a lead over Alabama in the first half during the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Cormac Ryan (3) reacts after forcing a turnover and sinking a basket to give the Tar Heels a lead over Alabama in the first half during the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Harrison Ingram (55) drives to the basket between Alabama’s Mohamed Wague (11) and Mouhamed Dioubate (10) in the first half against North Carolina in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA
North Carolina’s Harrison Ingram (55) drives to the basket between Alabama’s Mohamed Wague (11) and Mouhamed Dioubate (10) in the first half against North Carolina in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA
North Carolina’s Elliot Cadeau (2) launches a three point shot over Alabama’s Grant Nelson (2) in the first half during the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
North Carolina’s Elliot Cadeau (2) launches a three point shot over Alabama’s Grant Nelson (2) in the first half during the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
Alabama’s Nick Pringle (23) defends North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) in the first half during the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
Alabama’s Nick Pringle (23) defends North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) in the first half during the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
Alabama’s Mark Sears (1) blows kisses to the crowd after sinking a three point basket in the first half against North Carolina in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
Alabama’s Mark Sears (1) blows kisses to the crowd after sinking a three point basket in the first half against North Carolina in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
Alabama’s Mark Sears (1) looses control of the ball under pressure from North Carolina’s Cormac Ryan (3) during the first half in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
Alabama’s Mark Sears (1) looses control of the ball under pressure from North Carolina’s Cormac Ryan (3) during the first half in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
Alabama’s Nick Pringle (23) defends North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) in the first half during the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
Alabama’s Nick Pringle (23) defends North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) in the first half during the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.

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