By: Ryann Sniadecki
In 2022 Edward “Eddie” Bassett, started attending the University of Alabama. Since then he has been a part of the Student Section for many of Alabama’s sports such as; Football, Soccer, and Basketball.
Now that we are leading up to March Madness, and going to a college that participates in March Madness, let’s get a feel on what it’s like being a part of Alabama’s Student Section.
What is March Madness?
According to the NCAA The National Collegiate Athletic Association, March Madness is “..The NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament is a single-elimination tournament of 68 teams that compete in seven rounds for the national championship. The penultimate round is known as the Final Four, when (you guessed it) only four teams are left.”.
This year March Madness is happening between March 16 – April 7.
Alabama Men’s Basketball
Alabama, also known as The Crimson Tide, play in the Southeastern Conference or SEC and have appeared in March Madness a total of 24 times. Been in the “Sweet Sixteen” ten times, the “Elite Eights” two times, and made the Final Four once.
As of March 5, 2025, it’s unclear if Alabama will make it to the selection round. But based on their ranking, they could possibly make it.
Alabama’s Connection to Buffalo
It seems like wherever you go or whoever you meet they seem to have some connection to Buffalo. Well the Alabama Crimson Tides also have a connection, that being their head coach Nate Oats.
Before he started coaching the men’s basketball team, in 2019, Nate Oats coached for the University of Buffalo Men’s Basketball team.
Coaching for UB
Nate was hired in 2013 to become the assistant coach, after he impressed UB’s, soon to be, head coach Bobby Hurley. During his two-years as the assistant coach, UB appeared in the NCAA for the first time ever. Alongside entering in their first NCAA tournament, the UB Bulls also won their first Mid-American Conference Tournament, or MAC for short.
Two years later, when Coach Hurley took the head coach position for Arizona State, Nate Oats, with help from the current players, became the new head coach for UB men’s basketball.
During his first season as coach the UB Bulls tied in third during the 2016 Mid-American Conference, but would win the conference after beating Miami University, Ohio and the University of Akron.
Two years later, in 2018, the Bulls once again won the 2018 MAC Tournament. Alongside winning the tournament, Nate Oats was named MAC coach of the year. That same year the Bulls won the MAC Tournament, the Bulls placed 13th in the 2018 NCAA Tournament.
In 2019 Oats was named MAC coach of the year.
Coaching for Alabama
Oats signed a contract stating he would stay with the UB Bulls through the 2024 season. Alabama would name Nate Oats as their new head coach for the men’s basketball team.
Since becoming the coach for Alabama, the Crimson Tides qualified for the NCAA Tournament in four seasons, back to back. In 2021 Nate won the SEC Coach of the Year award. Alongside this win for Nate the Crimson Tide’s also won the SEC regular season.
In last year’s NCAA Tournament, after a win against the Clemson Tigers, Nate led the team in securing their first Final Four appearance.
In 2024 he signed a contract that will keep him through the 2030 season.
Student Section
When I asked Eddie what it’s like being in the student section for Alabama, he said “[It’s the] best place to be on game day. It’s where the majority of the noise comes from on game day.”.
He also noted that although the section is open to all full-time students, by being a member of the Crimson Chaos you’re able to get early entry into the games. The Crimson Chaos is “…student led student section.”.
Traditions
Just like with any sports team, no matter if they are big or small, college, high school, or pro, they each have their own traditions.
When you enter Alabama’s Basketball arena, Coleman Coliseum, newspapers are placed on the seats of the student section. Usually during practice before the game students will read the papers. Afterwards, during the other teams introductions, “We [student section] chant ‘sucks’ after every player intro, and ‘blows’ after the coach’s intro.”. Once the Alabama team comes out the newspapers are thrown into the air, after introductions are over the student section raises a banner that reads “Roll Tide”.
Some other chants, which can be heard and seen on TV are, “Every game starts with a “Roooooooooollllllll” before tip and a “tide roll” as tip happens. We chant “Airball x3, you suck!” After airballs and ton of other fun stuff.” says Eddie.
March Madness
Since it’s March, and many college basketball games are becoming more and more important. When I asked Eddie how he, and most of Alabama, are feeling about March Madness he said “We are excited for March Madness, and a potential one seed. We think we could go all the way this year.”.
If your interested in watching March Madness it’s beginnings March 16, and can be watched on CBS, Paramount+, MAX, Youtube TV, and many more.
Spring 2026 
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