Charles Barkley gave Alabama a shout-out as he predicted a loss for the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The NBA legend and former Auburn star enjoyed the biggest upset of the Sweet 16 on television.
Barkley, a former NBA rival of Michael Jordan’s, interrupted the broadcast to tell everyone watching, “UNC is going down tonight!”
Barkley was referring to top-ranked North Carolina, a team that was supposed to make the Final Four but now has its season over.
“I’m definitely hurt. I think we’re all a little shocked,” said the Tar Heels’ Armando Bacote. “It feels like we have a chance to win a national championship this year.”
Bacot scored with 1 second left and North Carolina trailed fourth-place Alabama 89-87.
But that was the closest UNC came, though the Tar Heels fell behind again despite owning six national championships.
“These guys showed their competitiveness at the right time,” Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats said. “You hope to peak in March and we peaked in March.”
Barkley made such a prediction before it happened, seemingly revealing that Jordan’s old team was likely to lose early in the NCAA tournament.
Kenny Smith praised No. 1 UConn, which easily beat San Diego State 82-52.
As Smith spoke, Barkley couldn’t help but interject, yelling that the Tar Heels were going to lose.
That forced Barkley to concede that his old rival, Alabama, would win.
“I’m going to curse on live television tonight,” Barkley joked. “When UNC plays, I say those dirty words.”
“We’re going to be looking at Alabama and North Carolina,” host Ernie Johnson said.
“These are bad words,” Buckley said.
Even Auburn coach Bruce Pearl is enjoying it.
“It takes two L’s to spell Roll Tide,” Pearl said.
Barkley got his wish, and Bama defeated UNC and Jordan’s old school.
Now, Barkley can watch the college team he hates play in March Madness while North