Alabama Basketball: Reasons for concern in 2023-24

There are plenty of question marks surrounding Alabama Basketball heading into 2023-24. After all, it is still awaiting the decisions of three starters who are testing the NBA Draft waters.

A team with Charles Bediako at center and Mark Sears and Jahvon Quinerly in the backcourt would look a lot more talented, experienced, and familiar than a team without them.

In the meantime, Coach Nate Oats has locked up a solid 2023 recruiting class and continues to pursue transfer portal targets to supplement the roster. So, outside of the pending NBA Draft decisions, why should Alabama Basketball fans be concerned heading into next winter?

Alabama Basketball: Three reasons for concern

Lack of depth at the “4”

Alabama Basketball has depth abound in the backcourt, and Charles Bediako and Nick Pringle presumably have the center position locked down. However, there is not much proven depth at the four, or power forward, position.

Noah Clowney (NBA Draft) and Noah Gurley (out of eligibility) both exit the program, and big wing Jaykwon Walton botched his chance to fill the role when he got in legal trouble last month.

Where does that leave the Crimson Tide? Nate Oats currently doesn’t have anyone that fits the mold of a four that has any college basketball experience.

A pair of incoming true freshmen in Sam Walters and Mouhamed Dioubate are naturals at the position, but it’s tough to ask them to be ready to start from day one (much less provide the one-and-done impact that Clowney brought in 2022-23).

It would not come as a surprise if Coach Oats continues to pursue a stretch four or a big wing in the transfer portal to satisfy this apparent need.

Frontcourt shooting is a question mark

Along those same lines, the Alabama Basketball frontcourt has question marks regarding its ability to stretch the floor.

At center, Bediako and Pringle are not threats away from the basket. Departing players like Brandon Miller, Noah Clowney, and Noah Gurley made the Bama offense run smoothly last season with their ability to shoot the ball and keep the lane open for slashing guards and rim-running bigs.

Who can fill that role in 2023-24? Walton was certainly expected to help. Instead, Bama may have to lean on a true freshman if it does not add another transfer. Incoming freshman Sam Walters has stretch-big capabilities and plus-athleticism at 6’9”, and could be asked to be a major contributor.

At roughly 190 pounds, his weight and ability to hold his own in the paint are the biggest concerns. If it’s any consolation, Clowney faced similar questions coming into the program and proved doubters wrong.

Lack of cohesion

This is a phenomenon that is seemingly becoming a concern year-in and year-out at several programs across the country. With the introduction of NIL and the NCAA transfer portal, it’s nearly impossible to keep a team together and prevent roster turnover.

Even after the most successful season in school history, Alabama has experienced everything from graduation to surprising NBA Draft entries to outgoing transfers. Coach Oats will have to piece together a new roster heading into next season.

With that being said, lack of cohesion feels like much less of an issue under Oats. He has done this before, and he has proven to be one of the best coaches in the country at roster construction. Oats combines incoming freshmen, returning contributors, and transfer portal additions to build an effective team.

The problem is, sometimes a microwave roster is able to generate chemistry and synergy (as Bama did in 2022-23), and sometimes it doesn’t work out (see 2021-22).

The challenge will fall to Coach Oats and his new staff to produce another SEC contender.