Charles Barkley congratulates Alabama basketball on season, calls Crimson Tide by correct name

Alabama basketball came up short of playing in its first-ever national championship game.

The Crimson Tide — which was appearing in its first ever Final Four — had its historic season come to an end on Saturday as it ended up not having enough gas in the tank to take down Goliath, 1 seed UConn, in the Final Four. Alabama fell to the Huskies 86-72 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

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Former Auburn and NBA forward Charles Barkley was very complimentary of the Crimson Tide's season on the TBS postgame show and he even referenced Alabama the correct way, a change for Barkley who has been known to call Nate Oats' squad from Tuscaloosa "Alabama University" instead of the "University of Alabama."

"Nate Oats and his kids, man and I'm going to say it right (TNT sports host) Ernie (Johnson) they made the University of Alabama proud," Barkley said. "It was awesome, they had a great season, and obviously we are going to celebrate UConn (but) as an Auburn guy, this is painful, but I got to tip my hat off to Nate Oats and his entire coaching staff and team. They were awesome."

From a record standpoint, Barkley is right: Alabama's season was one for the record books. Aside from the aforementioned first Final Four appearance, Oats' squad was the No. 1 scoring offense in the country and set the SEC record for most 100-point performances in a season (10) amongst others.

This wasn't the only time Barkley was complimentary and kind to the Tide, as at halftime as Alabama trailed by four points 44-40, Barkley joked around with Johnson, Kenny Smith, Clark Kellogg and Jay Wright that his concern was if Alabama was able to come out with a win the concessions stands at State Farm Stadium and the nearby bars would not have enough beer for fans.

"If Alabama wins, I don't know if we've got enough Natty Light and Pabst Blue Ribbon to feed these people out here," Barkley said.

Barkley has been complimentary of Alabama throughout March Madness, even going so far as to declare "ROLL TIDE" as the Tide continued to roll through its bracket.