Alabama basketball already matched program history last on March 28 when it reached the Elite Eight. It bested that two days later when it punched a ticket to the Final Four.

April 6th, Saturday night, the Crimson Tide is playing with house money as it looks for more NCAA Tournament success. West region champs and four-seeded Alabama (25-11) will take on top-overall seed and East region winners UConn (35-3) in a national semifinal.

Purdue or NC State awaits the winner on April 8, Monday night, for the national title. But the Tide and Huskies first have to battle. Nate Oats and Dan Hurley have praised each other for their systems, player development and path to Glendale, Arizona and State Farm Stadium.

It can be argued both coach the two best teams in the country. The Huskies stormed through 16-seed Stetson, nine-seed Northwestern, five-seed San Diego State and three-seed Illinois by a combined 111 points. The Tide held off 13-seed Charleston, powered back against 12-seed Grand Canyon, out-played No. 1 North Carolina and out-classed No. 6 Clemson.

Alabama’s star Mark Sears has played like it. The bench has produced at every turn while Oats and his coaching staff have unlocked the defensive consistency it sought all season. UA has answered nearly every question about itself, now it faces its toughest test. UConn, led by Tristan Johnson, Cam Newton and Donovan Clingan, eyes a second national title.

Follow along for live updates as Alabama attempts to extend its season two more days.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].