Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats recently joined Lauren Sisler of AL.com to discuss lots of interesting topics heading into his first season in Tuscaloosa.
Oats took over as head coach back in March, and he’s already created quite a buzz by recruiting key players back to the program while adding an assortment of new talent.
Both Kira Lewis and John Petty chose to return to the program after initially considering a transfer following the coaching change, and Oats and his staff have also added a few players to their top 20 recruiting class.
That combination has most analysts expecting the Crimson Tide to be an NCAA Tournament team this season and possibly even a preseason top 25 contender.
In the interview, Oats talks about a variety of things, including his expectations for Alabama basketball this season, the rivalry with Auburn, his wife’s battle with cancer, and much more.
Lovell’s Analysis
Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne went out and got the hottest mid-major coach on the market, and Oats is going to bring a unique style to the program.
His teams are going to get up and down the court in a hurry, with Buffalo ranking in the top five nationally in average offensive possession length in each of the past two seasons.
And the talent is there for Oats and company to have a lot of success in year one. Lewis is one of the best guards in the conference, and Petty should also thrive in a more free-flowing system.
Players like Alex Reese and Herbert Jones should take another step forward as well, with Alabama’s rotation featuring plenty of talent and experience across the board.
Oats is certainly excited to get his first season started, and it may be one that allows the Tide to compete near the top of the SEC.
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