Basketball season is underway and Alabama basketball fans can’t be more pleased. The high level of intensity by the talented roster is exciting for fans. The Crimson Tide also have a very talented coaching staff withing head coach Nate Oats. Oats has 2 SEC championships since becoming head coach and has put this team on the top 25 rankings consistently. The hopes for this upcoming season are high for the Tide as they have many talented players coming in this season.
Transfer Portal
The transfer portal is something that coach Oats has taken advantage of this season for this team. Alabama was able to acquire key players like Grant Nelson from North Dakota State and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. from Cal State Fullerton. Both guys are looking to make a big impact for the Crimson Tide this season. Coach Nate Oats also has some talented players returning from last season as well. Returning players include star guard Mark Sears, Nick Pringle, and Rylan Griffen. With this much experience combined with all these players, Bama Basketball could finish the season pretty far into March Madness.
Hot Start
A hot start for Alabama basketball this season has given the fanbase much confidence early on. Alabama has had a hot start to the season starting off 4-0 against programs like Mercer and Indiana State. Each game has consisted of the Crimson Tide scoring over 100 points except for one. Scoring 100 points in a college game is impressive due to the fast paced and up tempo play that teams run with. Although they haven’t gotten to face bigger programs yet, this is still an impressive start for any team.
Making History
Alabama basketball has been a decent program now for the past few years under Nate Oats. They have been recruiting major talent from around the transfer portal and from outside of high school. Last season Alabama achieved their first 30-win season in program history. With only 6 losses to match up with their 31 wins, they had achieved an outstanding season. If they can carry that confidence into this season, they can end this season better than last one.
Grant Nelson
Brandon Miller was the star player that everyone kept their eyes on last year. Grant Nelson is slowly but surely following Miller’s footsteps with the way he’s playing. Nelson’s size and ability to drive and run the floor is the same abilities Miller possessed. The chemistry on this Alabama team has looked great so far and can propel Nelson’s leadership ability if they continue like this. The ultimate goal for this team is to win a national championship and make history. Alabama has never won a championship in basketball so that would be the biggest achievement if they could under coach Oats.
Big Games Ahead
Basketball season is long, and each game is different. Alabama and their fanbase is used to football, but Tuscaloosa is turning into a basketball city as well. The Crimson Tide have their first big matchup against BIG 10 foe Ohio State. This game will determine if Alabama can compete at a higher level with bigger talent. After this, Alabama is back home against ACC foe Clemson. Two big games in a row is what the Crimson Tide need to start building and strengthening their resume. Later in the season, they will be matched up against a top 5 Purdue team that has looked impressive for the past decade. A win against them will be vital important to this team’s confidence and successes for the remainder of the season.
Postseason Play
Postseason play is where Alabama basketball will have to focus this year. Last season they made it to where they wanted to be but fell short to San Diego State in the Sweet 16. Anything can happen during March Madness, but the Tide have to continue to play hard. If Alabama stays consistent during postseason play, then the sky is the limit for what they can achieve. Although it is early in the season, March will be around the corner before we know it. Coach Oats will have to continue to keep the guys disciplined and ready for each and every challenge ahead.
Consistency is Key
The Crimson Tide began the season as a top 25 team and plan to stay that way. The season is looking to be promising for these guys as long as they stay consistent and healthy. They haven’t had any big road challenges yet but will have some later in the season during conference play. This is a team that has the potential to win their conference championship which would make it back-to-back for them. They had plenty of talent last year and are looking at an even better team this year.
Team Chemistry
Chemistry is vital to any team’s successes. Chemistry and a good relationship will strengthen a team and help them grow closer to each other game after game. Coaches desire this out of their players and their teams. Alabama had it last season which got them to their first 30-win season in program history. Nate Oats wants to see his players buy in to what this program has to offer. Players seem to be buying into what Alabama is doing in Tuscaloosa.
Talented Recruits
With multiple 5-star and 4-star recruits committing to the Crimson Tide, they will be a force to be reckoned with. This team also comes in with a lot of experience. The Crimson Tide has a lot of veteran players whether they have transferred or been with this program for a few years. This type of veteran leadership will help aid them to future success this season. The sky is the limit for the Crimson Tide and fans will be eager to see what they do.
SEC Challenges
The SEC has been increasing in skillset for quite some time over the past few seasons. It always used to be a few teams in the conference that showed pure dominance. With the way the conference is today, every team has their strengths and weaknesses to shone light on. The SEC isn’t just purely dominated by Kentucky or Arkansas, but now teams like Alabama are rising up to compete. This not only makes the conference more entertaining, but also changes the landscape of college hoops as we’ve known it.
NIL & Transfer Portal
The competition and the transfer portal have made the SEC an entertaining basketball conference. Many players commit to a school now due to the NIL contracts and what they can potentially get. The NIL has also changed the landscape of college sports especially basketball. A talented recruit would now sign with a smaller school as opposed to a bigger school to make more earnings from the NIL. Whether this hurts college basketball or brings more attention to it, that is up to one’s own speculation. This could potentially help Alabama basketball gain more talented recruits either through the portal or through high school commits.
Outlook
Coach Nate Oats has done a fantastic job with recruiting and coaching this Alabama Crimson Tide team. If he keeps it up then Alabama will surely extend his contract. The talent and leadership this team possesses can take them far for many seasons to come. It will be interesting to see how the Tide rolls this season with players like Grant Nelson leading the charge. Tuscaloosa could be the new place for hoops in the near future.
