Alabama Basketball: How Nate Oats turned the Tide in two seasons

This has been quite the turnaround for Alabama basketball

Alabama basketball has seen inconsistent success in recent years, but their best seasons usually ended near the bubble for the NCAA Tournament. Now, the Crimson Tide are SEC Champions and on their way to the NCAA Tournament with a chance to win it all.

In just two seasons, Oats carried the Tide from the NIT to potentially being a one-seed in the big dance. While this year has been record-breaking, his recruiting record suggests more than one lucky season. How did he turn the tide so quickly?

Credit the seniors

Oats’ success starts with the players who decided to stay. When he was hired, many players were in the transfer portal to keep their options open. He did a quick analysis of the roster and decided who needed to come back. His first recruiting job was to retain players like John Petty and Kira Lewis. Herb Jones and Petty also decided to return for their senior seasons after considering going pro, and it has paid off for both of them.

Those players who almost abandoned ship are now the driving force of Alabama basketball. Jones is the best player in the SEC, and the leadership from him, Petty and Reese speaks for itself.

A new system

Nate Oats implemented an analytics-driven system in Tuscaloosa, and he found players that fit what he needed. He recruited shooters who weren’t afraid to dive on the floor and sacrifice their bodies to make a play. They almost exclusively score in the paint, at the perimeter and from the free-throw line. These lead to high-percentage shots with great value.

However, it’s more than just that. They prioritize speed. Alabama basketball pushes the floor and is always looking for an easy shot. This focus on efficiency has led the Tide to have one of the best offenses in college basketball.

Defense wins championships

Alabama had the offensive potential last year, but they lost too many games due to their inability to lock down on defense. Now, the team effort has improved, and plays are being made on both sides of the court.

Alabama has proven that they are a different team than they were two years ago. Between excellent recruiting and a new system, Nate Oats has turned the Tide into a championship contender.