Alabama Crimson Tide have set a new record this year as they reached the Final Four of the West Regional this year. Nate Oats coached the country’s No.1 team most of the 2022/2023 season before Alabama’s performance in the NCAA Tournament dropped as they lost two games at San Diego State and Louisville.
The coach focused on rebuilding the team this season as they were fifth in the Southeastern Conference preseason. Oats made four transfers and had three starters and five freshmen when the 2023/2024 season kicked off.
Mark Sears Largely Contributes to Alabama Crimson Tide Improved Performance
Mark Sears, Alabama’s homegrown point guard, has been their on-court pilot of late. The team signed his third contract in February and he has helped them proceed to the Final Four. This was their first time to reach this level despite losing 11 games.
Aaron Estrada who Alabama traded from Hofstra stated that other teams counted them out from the season’s first game. The guard had five assists, eight rebounds, and 10 points against Clemson when Alabama played in the regional final. He added that he has been under-recruited for a long period.
Nate Oats Introduces Alabama Crimson Tide Tradition
Oats joined Alabama in 2019 after steering the Buffalo Bulls to 32 wins in a season. He wanted Alabama tradition to be part of the foundation, with Nick Saban serving as a key resource. Oats revealed that he watched the team’s practice sessions and went on trips with Saban
The retired coach taught Oats about proper team management. Oats didn’t worry about football being a popular spot at Alabama. Instead, he learned how to recruit talented players from it. Oats encouraged Crimson Tide players to keep pressing on and reach their first Final Four.
Alabama Wins the Regional Final
Alabama Crimson Tide defeated Clemson 89-82 in a tough regional final. The win secured a spot for them in the national semifinal against UConn, the reigning champion. Some teams referred to Oats’ team strategies as being “bizarre offense baselines.”
Most of his teams are pros at shooting 3s including Detroit High School and the University of Buffalo. He believes that eliminating 2-point shots is efficient and not traditional.
Oats stated that Crimson Tide Alabama has several options to take accurate shots. Quick 3s are often efficient when the right shooters take them. The coach teaches starters how to increase their efficiency and boosts their self-confidence.
Oats Changes Alabama’s Roster
Nate Oats helped Brandon Miller improve his position in the draft from 23rd to second place. Also, he contracted an analytics firm that reviews game results and situations. The third-party enlightened Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball on how their system operates. Oats praised his team’s 10 out of 15 shots from 3-point range when they faced Clemson.
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