The college basketball season is reaching its crescendo, and recent games have provided a tantalizing glimpse of the March Madness chaos to come. Saturday's basketball action was filled with drama, highlighted by Alabama and St. John's securing thrilling victories in their final regular-season games, both winning with overtime buzzer-beaters.

No. 7 Alabama triumphed over archrival No. 1 Auburn in a heart-wrenching contest. The back-and-forth game saw Johni Broome tie the score with under a minute left in regulation, leading to an overtime showdown. With the game on the line, Alabama's senior guard Mark Sears delivered the decisive blow, hitting a runner from the free-throw line as time expired, securing a 93-91 victory for the Crimson Tide.

No. 6 St. John's Red Storm continued their impressive season with a significant win over No. 20 Marquette. The Golden Eagles proved to be a formidable opponent, but St. John's, under the guidance of head coach Rick Pitino, displayed the resilience that has defined their season. Trailing in the final seconds of regulation, RJ Luis Jr.'s layup forced overtime. In overtime, Zuby Ejiofor's clutch basket at the buzzer sealed the victory for St. John's.

Pitino expressed his excitement after the game, stating, "There’s not a whole lot to say except wow. The resilience to play in front of a sold-out road game and to just never give up." He emphasized the importance of preparing for March Madness, stating, "You don’t just show up in March and say, ‘OK, this is what we’re going to do.’ You prepare for it now. You prepare for it at the Big East Tournament."

In other college basketball action, Duke secured the ACC regular-season title with a victory over rival North Carolina. Overcoming a seven-point deficit in the second half, the Blue Devils defeated North Carolina 82-69, led by Kon Knueppel's 17 points and Cooper Flagg's 15 points and four blocks.