A recent video has Alabama Basketball fans buzzing. It is less than 50 seconds of impressive practice highlights and too much can be made of it for many reasons. But for Crimson Tide fans wondering how Nate Oats would replace two NBA first-rounders and a 2021 SEC Tournament MVP, the video snippets are most encouraging.
In the video, Nate Oats talks about winning championships in July. That is and should be the message for Alabama Basketball – winning championships. Even with the considerable roster turnover, the 2023-24 season is no rebuilding season for the Crimson Tide.
Add me to the growing list of Crimson Tide fans who are confident Alabama can win and win big in 2023-24.
In November, Nate Oats will begin his fifth season in Tuscaloosa. A couple of months ago, College Basketball Report compiled a list of the winningest teams of the 2020s. The first season calculated was Oats’ second in Tuscaloosa in 2020-21. Alabama was No. 8 on the list with a record of 76-27. Just above the Tide with 78 wins each were San Diego State, Baylor and Arizona. At 80 and 83 wins were UCLA and Kansas. No. 2 was Gonzaga with 90 wins and Houston was No. 1 with 93 wins.
Other SEC teams in the top 30 list were Arkansas (9th), Tennessee (11th), Auburn (20th), and Kentucky (27th).
Alabama roundball fans can anticipate the continued ascension of the Crimson Tide. Nate Oats has turned Alabama into the SEC’s best program, Arkansas and Tennesse are close behind and Kentucky with a new, loaded roster can be expected to rebound.
In addition to the highlights in the video below, recent other news has described the progress of several players in the Crimson Tide’s strength-building, conditioning, and nutrition programs. The changes for Nick Pringle and Rylan Griffen are particularly impressive. Since moving to Tuscaloosa, Pringle has added bulk and strength through 28 added pounds. Griffen also appears stronger and no longer too thin to take the ball to the hole with strength.
Tide Hoops checking in 🏀 pic.twitter.com/TtEYdX93Tn
— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) July 28, 2023
Alabama Basketball November and December Schedule
- Nov. 6 – Morehead State
The Eagles were 22-12 last season, beating Clemson in the first round of the NIT, before losing to UAB.
- Nov. 10 – Indiana State (23-13 last season)
- Nov. 14 – South Alabama (19-16 last season)
- Nov. 17 – Mercer (14-19 last season)
- Nov. 24 – Ohio State in Destin, FL
The Buckeyes are coming off an uncharacteristic 16-19 season, only the second time in 19 seasons for Ohio State to win less than 20 games.
- Nov. 25 – Alabama will play in Destin against either Oregon (21-15) or Santa Clara (23-10)
- Nov. 28 – Clemson (23-11)
- Dec. 9 – Purdue in Toronto
The Boilermakers will be a stern test for the Crimson Tide. Purdue, led by returning 7’4″ center, Zach Edey, was 29-6 last season, finishing with a surprising loss to Fairleigh Dickinson in the NCAA Tournament.
- Dec. 16 – at Creighton
The Bluejays were 24-13 last season, advancing to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight, before losing to San Diego State by a point.
- Dec. 20 – Arizona in Phoenix
The Wildcats were 28-7 last season, losing in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament to Princeton.
- Dec. 30 – Liberty (27-9) in Birmingham
Note: Team records provided by Sports Reference
For Crimson Tide basketball fans the opener against Morehead State can’t get her soon enough.