Alabama Basketball: Tide Head Coach Nate Oats has a problem

Alabama Basketball head coach, Nate Oats has a problem. By almost all measure, it is a good problem. It is also not unique to the Alabama Crimson Tide. It happens every season with Alabama Football. But for Nate Oats and Crimson Tide basketball, it is an uncommon situation.

Broadly put the problem is the side effect of more top talent wanting to join a program than there are available scholarships. Nick Saban has been adept in dealing with the constant demand for Alabama football scholarships always exceeding the supply. In football, the Crimson Tide passes on as many top players as it misses on during recruitment.

Suddenly, Nate Oats has the same problem. Alabama Basketball has too many players committed for the 2021-22 season. With a Transfer Portal overflowing with hundreds of players, more players are available. More than a few would not only help the Crimson Tide, they would jump at a chance to join the roster.

Alabama Basketball will explore all NCAA rule exceptions

There are only 13 basketball scholarships in a normal year. For the coming season, there are pandemic-driven exceptions. Just as Brian Robinson and Chris Owens could return to the Crimson Tide and not count in the 85-player scholarship limit, the same thing could happen in basketball. However, there is no indication Jordan Bruner, John Petty Jr., Herbert Jones and Alex Reese will choose an extra college season. Perhaps there is a loophole in the 2021-22 NCAA rules that will allow Nate Oats to over-sign. Before any of next season’s 14 committed players are forced to exit, Oats and the Athletic Department will thoroughly investigate all options.

On Monday, one of the over the limit situations took a turn with Langston Wilson reopening his recruitment. Based on Wilson’s tweet, not joining the Alabama Crimson Tide is a major disappointment.

"… I want to thank Alabama for all the love and support they have shown this is one of the best fan bases in the world! … after long talks with the coaches and those within my inner circle I feel as though it is best that I am released from my NLI and reopen my recruitment. I love Alabama and they will always be a strong option for me going forward …"

The classy statement from the young man is touching and Bama Hammer joins all Alabama Basketball fans wishing Langston much success.

Wilson is one of the top JUCO players in the nation and would have been a great fit for Alabama Basketball.

Nate Oats still has to work out the now, over-1 number. Earlier on Monday, Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News stated counter to the opinions of some Tide fans, he does not think James Rojas will be encouraged to transfer.