Alabama Basketball: Revisiting Tide’s “3-on-5” game vs. Minnesota from 2017
By Cody Larson
In light (or for better words, in the dark) of the recent “quarantine season” a comforting hobby for basketball fans has been revisiting classic games of the past. Here’s a look at an Alabama Basketball classic: 2017’s “3-on-5” game.
Every basketball fan has a collection of games that they can recount vividly. Whether it be because of memorable performances, triumphant victories, or agonizing defeat; some games just stick a little bit more than the rest. For college basketball fans, these games commonly come from the month of March; From 1992’s Elite Eight to 2016’s National Championship, for example.
Under the unfortunate circumstances that COVID-19 has put everyone in (hopefully self-isolating safely at home, but unfortunately without basketball), there arguably has never been a better time for fans to look back at some of college basketball’s finest matchups. With classic full-games being broadcasted on TV – and being put on YouTube – daily, it is the perfect time for fans to take a trip down memory lane (and also, perhaps, discover some classics they’ve never seen before).
Which leads me to “my game;” the game I’ve been thinking a lot about (and have rewatched in full twice) while quarantining: 2017’s historic “3-on-5” matchup between Alabama Basketball and the Minnesota Gophers. Despite being a Wisconsin Badgers fan (a fanbase that has been treated to games like this, this, and ironically this), that is the game that sits with me.
"“I’ve never ever ever seen anything like that in my life.” – Richard Pitino"
Though that may be potentially, slightly bizarre; I think it is for good reason. Alabama and Minnesota had a game like no one had ever seen before on November 25th, 2017 in the Barclays Center. As many likely recalls, with about 11 minutes left in the 2nd half, Alabama attempted (and almost actually succeeded) in making a comeback victory with only three players on the court (we’ll of course dive into the circumstances that led to that point later on).
I’m thankful to say I was lucky enough to catch it all live – and honestly – to see Collin Sexton, Galin Smith and Riley Norris trot their way back from an 11-point deficit was just as exciting as seeing Laettner’s shot in 1992 or Jenkins’ shot in 2016. In my opinion, the “3-on-5” game is on par with those unforgettable moments, at least for me. So, again since there’s no better time for it, here is a deep dive into what I consider a recent classic certainly worthy of revisiting.