Why has it been so difficult to think that Alabama will be in the Final Four?

Why has it been so difficult to think that Alabama will be in the Final Four?

As the hours slowly crawl to an Alabama Crimson Tide Final Four game, looking back is in order. No matter what season Alabama fans first dreamed about an Alabama Final Four, for many, the time has felt almost like forever.

The University of Alabama hosted the 1974 NCAA Tournament Regional Semi-Final games. The Crimson Tide basketball team was not a participant. In 1974, the Big Dance had just 25 teams and the field was restricted to conference champions and independents. Alabama was 22-4 that season. The Crimson Tide and the Vanderbilt Commodores finished the SEC season at 15-3.