Alabama State had the first buzzer-beater of March Madness. Next up? A game at Rupp Arena
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Tracking NCAA games in Rupp Arena
Click below to view more coverage from the Lexington Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com about the men’s NCAA Tournament games March 20 and 22 in Rupp Arena.
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Alabama State provided college basketball fans with the first viral moment of the 2025 men’s NCAA Tournament.
The Hornets’ reward for a dramatic, first-ever March Madness win on Tuesday night is the chance to take on the tournament’s top overall seed, SEC regular season champions Auburn, at Rupp Arena.
It’s been a whirlwind stretch for those connected to the Alabama State men’s basketball team, which is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011.
The Hornets recorded their first win in the event in dramatic fashion Tuesday, when a baseball pass that went nearly the length of the court led to a last-second layup by third-year guard Amarr Knox, which gave Alabama State a 70-68 win over Saint Francis (Pa.) in a First Four play-in game in Dayton, Ohio.
“In that moment I knew we had to get the ball down to our most athletic player on the team to get us a 3,” Knox said Wednesday afternoon. “But I’ve been in that situation plenty of times where I knew that everybody’s hands were going to get on the ball and somebody has to find the basketball and score. Fortunately the ball was in my hand, and I made the layup.”
What’s the last few hours been like for Knox and Alabama State head coach Tony Madlock?
“It’s been incredible,” Knox said, sporting a wide-eyed grin. “I’ve had so many people’s support, telling me they’re proud of me and everything, and it just feels amazing. I want to have more games like that. It was an incredible moment.”
“It’s so exciting,” added Madlock, Alabama State’s third-year head coach. “Everything that it’s done for the city of Montgomery, for Alabama State University, for HBCUs around the country. It’s just everything that you want and even more.”
The chances of the Hornets producing a follow-up act to Tuesday’s heroics are minuscule. Auburn, the top overall seed in the national postseason, awaits Alabama State for a first-round game at 2:50 p.m. Thursday at Rupp Arena as part of the South Regional (Atlanta).
KenPom projects a 30-point win for the Tigers, who defeated the Hornets by 20 points in a game at Auburn last season.
“We played all over the country this year. We played at high-major programs. And last night it seemed like the lights were brighter in the NCAA Tournament,” said Madlock, whose team played at UNLV, LSU, Cincinnati, SMU and Missouri — losing those games by an average of 18.2 points — during the regular season.
“But our guys, again, we’re just going to have fun with this. We get to the dance, haven’t been to the dance at Alabama State since 2011 and we win a game for the first time in school history. We’re just going to enjoy this moment. Nothing is going to dampen this moment for us. We’re going to have fun, enjoy it, and fly around and have fun.”
Regardless of Thursday’s outcome, Madlock repeatedly praised his team for what they’ve already accomplished for the school, a public, historically Black university in Montgomery, Alabama.
“A lot of things that people don’t know, they’re going to hear about (an) HBCU that normally they would not know about Alabama State University,” Madlock said. “It’s been all over the media, so that is the type of thing that we like to have heard about our university. All positive things, so we’re really excited about that.”
Tuesday’s First Four victory in Dayton also gave Alabama State its 20th win of the season. That’s the most wins in one season for the Hornets since 2009.
“I dreamed of being in this moment, playing in March Madness,” said CJ Hines, a senior guard who previously played at the NAIA level for two seasons. “Making history for Alabama State, 20-win season, winning the SWAC. It’s a blessing to be here right now, and I’m just thankful.”
“The prep doesn’t change,” Hines added about getting ready to face the NCAA Tournament’s top seed on a short turnaround. “We stick to what we do, film, practice, treatment, whatever we do. Just because we’re playing the number one seed, we’re not going to change anything. We’re just going to go out there and compete, fight, and give it our all.”
This story was originally published March 19, 2025 at 3:16 PM.
