RKT CITY CLASSIC AL CRIMSON TIDE BASKETBALL
by kpete on 12/26/19Von Braun Center Arena - HuntsvilleThis tournament is a Christmas tradition for my family. We have attended every year. We love seeing the Tide play close to our hometown.
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About
Alabama Crimson Tide Men's Basketball at Coleman Coliseum
The University of Alabama Crimson Tide played their first organized season of men's basketball in the 1912-1913 season. Between 1912 and 2022, the Tide have won 1,769 games to only 1,088 losses. With a maximum capacity of 15,383, Coleman Coliseum has been Alabama's home since 1968, when it was originally Memorial Coliseum. As a single-level coliseum that creates a wall of noise for opponents, Coleman also hosts the Tide's women's gymnastics team.
Since their first season, Alabama has 10 Sweet Sixteen appearances and one Elite Eight appearance in 24 NCAA Tournaments. In 2023, Alabama had arguably their most prolific season in school history under superstar head coach Nate Oats. On the way to a 31-6 record, the Tide were regular season and conference tournament champions in the SEC and also the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament. Alabama lost in the Sweet 16 to the eventual national runner-up San Diego State University.
Alabama Crimson Tide Men's Basketball History
The University of Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team has had seven coaches with at least five years of tenure at the helm. The winningest coach in school history was Wimp Sanderson, who coached the Crimson Tide from 1980-1992. He left Alabama with a 267-119 record, including four SEC Tournament Championships, eight NCAA tournament appearances and five Sweet Sixteens. Sanderson also accumulated three SEC Coach of the Year Awards ('87,'89 and '90) and one National Coach of the Year award in 1987. He resigned from his post to become assistant commissioner of the conference and passed the reins on to David Hobbs, who had been lead assistant for seven years.
Mark Gottfried, who played under Sanderson for three years, was the only other Tide coach to accumulate 200-plus wins as head coach. Gottfried coached from 1998-2009 and is responsible for the Crimson Tide's only Elite Eight appearance in 2004. In 2019, Nate Oats was named head coach. Known for his pace and space style that features an arsenal of 3-point shots, Oats won the SEC regular-season championship in just his second season. In 2023, he led Alabama to a No.1 overall ranking on the way to the school's first 30-win season.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Rating: 3 out of 5 Great game but VBC issues
by BamaFan on 12/24/19Von Braun Center Arena - HuntsvilleThe game itself was great bit the atmosphere at the VBC was somewhat boring. Sorta wish it could be a bit more of a Alabama home court advantage. Yes. The fans are 90% Crimson but no cheerleaders, no pep band or even BIg Al. You would think Yea Alabama or a few of the cheers could at the very least be played over the VBC PA system? Also. What or Earth was the deal with not only shutting down alcohol sales way too early but food as well? That was ridiculous. I hope to continue to attend the game every year but for the rising price of the ticket...more should be expected in off court atmosphere.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Rocket City Classic
by NTAYLOR2 on 12/24/19Von Braun Center Arena - HuntsvilleWe LOVE going to events here. Parking is easy and you don't have to walk miles in and out. This is our 2nd year at the Rocket City Classic and we will continue to come. The only thing we would like to see is some vendors with Alabama souvenirs and apparel available for purchase. We live closer to BJCC in Birmingham, but choose VBC for events over there because of the safety, convenience, and parking.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Very Good Basketball Event
by EDB on 12/24/19Von Braun Center Arena - HuntsvilleI love being able to see my team in my hometown and not have to drive to Tuscaloosa. Entertainment value was very good.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Had a wonderful time. Will attend next year
by Henry on 12/24/19Von Braun Center Arena - HuntsvilleI attended with my sons and 2 grandchildren. We had great seats and enjoyed both the UAH and Alabama games.
Rating: 4 out of 5 A fun Saturday of hoops
by High Five on 12/24/19Von Braun Center Arena - HuntsvilleNice arena. The food court is one of the best I have seen. They have plenty of elbow room and a wide variety of food options. The concession prices are more reasonable than most places. Be sure to pick you seats wisely, this is a multi use facility and depending on the event you can end up with a wall by your seat as I did Saturday. The scoreboard for basketball is bare bones. Coleman offers a state of the art scoreboard and I missed being able to see real time stats Saturday.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Great Game
by MGeo99 on 12/24/19Von Braun Center Arena - HuntsvilleI have been to every Rocket City Classic so far and it is definitely getting better every year. I love the fact that they are getting better and better opponents for Alabama to play. Everything about going to the game is a pleasant experience from parking to the seats in the arena. Didn’t know why the crowd wasn’t as big as years past. I would guess it had something to do with it being the last shopping Saturday before Christmas. Anyway, keep it up! It’s a great tradition to have here. Maybe Auburn should think about doing the same?
Rating: 3 out of 5 Good seats bought out before fans had a chance
by a. s. on 12/21/18Von Braun Center Arena - HuntsvilleI understand financial support but let the fans have access to good seats. You guys let the corporations buy out all the great seats.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Alabama basketball
by Cassandra on 12/21/18Von Braun Center Arena - HuntsvilleLoved getting to see the Tide close to home. These athletes deserve our support, but that’s hard to do throughout the week. Thank you for bringing a game close to us!!
Rating: 5 out of 5 The games were very competitive.
by Norm on 12/21/18Von Braun Center Arena - HuntsvilleParking for the event was easy. The event was what I expected if not more than what I was expecting. My daughter enjoyed both games.