Nate Oats Has Transformed Alabama Basketball, but This Season Could Define What’s Next for the Crimson Tide

There was a time when Alabama basketball felt like something to occupy fans until football season rolled back around.

Not anymore.

Under Nate Oats, Alabama basketball has become a program with legitimate national championship expectations. The Crimson Tide isn’t simply hoping to make the NCAA Tournament anymore. Alabama fans expect to compete for SEC championships, make deep tournament runs, and eventually bring a national championship back to Tuscaloosa.

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And honestly, I love that.

What Oats has accomplished since arriving at Alabama is remarkable. He has changed the culture, elevated recruiting, and turned Coleman Coliseum into a place where some of the best basketball in the country is played.

But with that success comes something else: higher expectations.

And as Alabama begins the 2026-27 basketball season, I believe we’re entering another important chapter of the Nate Oats era.

The Crimson Tide opened its season Tuesday night with a convincing 96-74 victory over Sam Houston. Four Alabama players scored in double figures, and the Tide’s defensive performance helped establish control despite a slow start offensively.

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Drew Fielder and London Jemison led Alabama with 15 points apiece, while Tarris Bouie contributed 13 and Amari Allen added 12. There was plenty to appreciate about the victory.

But what caught my attention wasn’t simply Alabama scoring 96 points. It was how the Crimson Tide created those opportunities.

Alabama forced 23 turnovers, collected 17 steals, and recorded 10 blocked shots. Those turnovers helped produce 33 points, while the Tide also scored 41 fast-break points. Those are impressive numbers. And they’re especially encouraging because, in my opinion, defense is going to determine just how far this Alabama team can go.

Let’s be honest. We’ve become accustomed to watching Alabama score a ridiculous number of points under Oats.

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His offensive philosophy emphasizes pace, spacing, three-point shooting, and attacking the basket….

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nate-oats-transformed-alabama-basketball-053029383.html

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Publish date : 2026-11-05 05:30:00

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