Alabama State coach Tony Madlock was an Auburn basketball assistant. His Hornets advanced to face the Tigers in dramatic March Madness fashion.

Micah Simpson’s nearly full court pass gets tipped and ends up in the hands of Amarr Knox who lays the ball in with one second remaining to give Alabama State a 70-68 victory over Saint Francis (PA) in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament. This is the first-ever win for Alabama State in the NCAA Tournament.

It’s the Auburn Tigers vs Alabama State Hornets in the March Madness bracket. Here’s our prediction, pick for the 2025 NCAA Tournament basketball game

Alabama State stunned Saint Francis with a Hail Mary pass from Micah Simpson and layup from Amarr Knox to win the First Four game.

NCAA Tournament kicked off in earnest Tuesday in epic fashion as Alabama State stunned Saint Francis in the first game of the First Four with a last-second shot to take down the Panthers, 70-68. The Hornets ran an inbounds play with 3.

Amarr Knox caught a deflected heave and netted a go-ahead layup in the final seconds to lead Alabama State to a miracle win over Saint Francis in the First Four of the 2025 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.