Alabama Basketball: Remaining need for Nate Oats is a big body

Based on the expectations of many Alabama basketball insiders, Nate Oats has one more roster spot to fill for the 2023-24 season. Charles Bediako and Mark Sears, after getting valuable feedback from NBA teams, are expected to return. Less sure, but apparently trending in the Crimson Tide’s direction is a return by Jahvon Quinerly.

If those expectations prove to be accurate, next season’s Alabama Crimson Tide will be a guard-heavy team. Presuming Bediako, Sears and Quinerly return, five of the Tide’s roster slots will be guards. Five more will primarily be wings, leaving the Crimson Tide with just two true bigs.

Possibly two incoming freshmen, Mouhamed Dioubate and Sam Walters can be productive playing at the ‘4’ position. Though both have clear potential to be outstanding players, neither one quite has the size to be a strong rebounder or a strong inside defender.

This means Charles Bediako and Nick Pringle will need more help on the boards and defensively than the current projected roster provides. Nate Oats needs to add another big body to fill the expected to be, only open roster slot.

Wofford transfer, 6’8″ BJ Mack could be that guy. Mack is a stretch ‘4’ with the ability to make threes. He has enough bulk to play the ‘5’ slot when Bediako and Pringle are on the bench. Mack is close to a decision, but some Alabama basketball insiders think he will not join the Crimson Tide.

Alabama Basketball and Rebounding Need

Let’s dive into the Crimson Tide’s performance on the boards last season. The Crimson Tide led all Div. 1 teams last season, averaging 44.7 rebounds per game. The Crimson Tide was No. 7 in rebound margin. National Champion, U Conn was No. 3 in rebound margin.

Crimson Tide Six Leading Rebounders in 2022-23

• Brandon Miller – 305 rebounds
• Noah Clowney –  285 rebounds
• Charles Bediako – 222 rebounds
• Mark Sears – 131 rebounds
• Nick Pringle – 111 rebounds
• Noah Gurley – 105 rebounds
• The six players combined contributed more than 70% of the Crimson Tide’s 1,652 rebounds. Given that, so many of Mark Sears’ rebounds came from his hustle after Crimson Tide three-point misses, the only returning inside rebounders from last season are Bediako and Pringle.

If the rebounding stats from last season are calculated on the basis of minutes played, the need for more rebounding help is more clear.

Alabama Leading 2022-23 Rebounders (based on minutes played)

• For every minute Nick Pringle played, he made 0.384 rebounds to lead the Tide roster
• Noah Clowney – 0.311 rebounds
• Charles Bediako – 0.289 rebounds
• Brandon Miller – 0.252 rebounds
• Noah Gurley – 0.20 rebounds

Three of the Crimson Tide’s most productive rebounders must be replaced – and only two return. It is clear, the 2023-24 roster needs another big body.

Note: Rebounding data provided by Sports Reference.

UPDATE: Nate Oats now has two open roster spots. Per Jeff Goodman,

"Alabama is no longer recruiting Jaykwon Walton and he will not be a student-athlete at The University of Alabama."

Rebounding may prove to be somewhat less important next season if the Tide’s new shooters are more consistent. But it will still be important.