In a game highlighted by the official's whistle, Alabama's defense rose to the occasion and helped the Tide advance to their third Sweet 16 in five years.
Oats is now set for his biggest offseason in Tuscaloosa. He must replace two of his veteran assistant coaches in Bryan Hodgson and Charlie Henry, and he must reload a roster that will be losing, at the minimum, All American Brandon Miller.
Alabama will take on No. 8 seed Maryland on Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The game will be held in Birmingham and the winner will advance to Louisville for the Sweet 16.