re: Forty one years ago tomorrow

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Tide Hoops History@BamaHistory
On this date 41 years ago in 1983, @AlabamaMBB traveled to Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles and upset No. 1-ranked UCLA 70-67 to provide some comfort to the @AlabamaFTBL fan base still reeling from the sudden death of legendary football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant two days earlier.

Bryant’s funeral services had concluded earlier in the day before Alabama head coach Wimp Sanderson led his team to the stunning road victory. @wimpsanderson1 received encouragement from the Bryant family to still play the game despite the emotional circumstances. Bobby Lee Hurt scored 23 points for the Crimson Tide, while Ennis Whatley added 20.

In honor of Bryant, the players wore black patches on their uniform shoulders and never trailed against the Bruins. At one point the Crimson Tide built a 16-point lead, before UCLA rallied late to tie the game. In the final seconds, Alabama held on for the victory courtesy of three free throws, two from Mike Davis and one from Buck Johnson.

The 1982-83 Crimson Tide also had dominating non-conference wins against Southern California and Georgetown with Patrick Ewing, but things unraveled in SEC play as Alabama finished 20-12 overall and 8-10 in the conference.

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