Subscribe
Follow Us
The Alabama basketball team is Final Four bound thanks to head coach Nate Oats and a scrappy bunch of players who have overcome many of the doubts that have been directed towards them. The Final Four appearance will be the Crimson Tide's first-ever, uncharted territory for the program as it prepares to take on the Connecticut Huskies, last season's title winners.
The days leading up to the Tide's first appearance have been exciting and jam-packed with news. Recently, Coach Oats dished on his strategy to knock off the defending champs. The Huskies' ex-factor vs. Alabama basketball was revealed, and it's not Donovan Clingan.
With the game scheduled for this Saturday at 8:49 p.m., Coach Oats revealed the one question he decided to ask one of college football's all-time greatest coaches.
Oats' Question For Saban
The information was revealed on Twitter by reporter Theodore Fernandez. Oats' team struggled in the SEC Tournament and was not considered a hot commodity heading into March Madness. That's when Oats decided to reach out to the seven-time National Championship winning coach.
Nate Oats got some advice from the GOAT heading into March Madness
“I talked to Coach Saban after we lost in the SEC Tournament… I called him, said ‘How do we turn this thing around so late?’”@WVUA23Sports @garyharris_wvua
— Theodore Fernandez (@TheoFernandez__) April 4, 2024
“We've been underdogs through this tournament,” Oats added. “Nobody expected us to be here at this point.”
Alabama Basketball's Oats Speaks On Defensive Emphasis
Oats also spoke on the importance of emphasizing defense against Coach Dan Hurley's team. Oats said that the Tide can't simply try to outscore the Huskies, adding that he believes they must focus on stopping them on the other end of the court.
Nate Oats says it will take more than just pure offense to beat UConn
“I don’t think we’re going to assume we’re a terrible defensive team and just try to outscore UConn. That’s a recipe for disaster… I don’t think you can try to beat UConn 120 to 118.”@WVUA23Sports
— Theodore Fernandez (@TheoFernandez__) April 4, 2024
The fourth-seeded Alabama basketball team is a double digit underdog in many sportsbooks against the top-seeded Huskies.
Oats added that he has taken a “non-traditional” route to get to where he is in the coaching profession and said he wouldn't trade (his) route for anything.
The Tide are led by guard Mark Sears, who has scored 21.5 points per game this season, and guard Aaron Estrada, who has scored over 13 points per game. Forward Grant Nelson has averaged 11.7 points per game and guard Rylan Griffen has averaged 11.3 for Alabama basketball.
