CLEVELAND –– 2-seed Alabama men's basketball cruised past 7-seed Saint Mary's 80-66 in the Round of 32 on Sunday night in Cleveland. Sunday night's win earned the Crimson Tide back-to-back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances for the first time since 1985-87––when Alabama head coach Nate Oats was in middle school.

It wasn’t the best offensive game for Saint Mary’s, but the Gaels relied on their suffocating defense. Ross also played a huge part on the defensive end, holding Vanderbilt star Jason Edwards to only five points in the second half on 2-for-8 shooting. The Commodores also went through a nine-minute stretch with only four points.

Alabama men’s basketball has its opponent set for the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament. Next up in March Madness, the No. 2 seeded Crimson Tide will play No. 7 seed Saint Mary’s on Sunday at a to-be-announced time.