Aden Holloway has been everything and more that Nate Oats and the coaching staff hoped he could be in this system after transferring to Alabama from Auburn. That's much to the chagrin of the Auburn fanbase that has wished a lot of ill will toward the sophomore guard for committing the cardinal sin of transferring to their in-state rival.
But Holloway did what was best for him and found the system that could unlock the immense potential possessed by the former five-star guard. He's been a revelation in Tuscaloosa, turning into one of the very best and most efficient players on a deep and talented Alabama roster.
As if the Iron Bowl of Basketball, featuring a No. 1 Auburn against No. 2 Alabama, needed any extra juice, it has it thanks to Holloway donning the crimson and white following a year in the orange and blue.
It'll be even more toxic for Holloway a few weeks from now when Alabama travels to Auburn to finish the regular season. He'll be met with a flurry of boos from the Auburn faithful who will take a break from tending to their cows and baling hay to shower Holloway with vitriol.
On Saturday, though, Holloway will feel the full support of the Crimson Tide fanbase. He'll undoubtedly have some extra juice himself, hoping to stick it to Bruce Pearl and his former Auburn teammates to show them what they're missing.
Holloway's leap from his freshman to sophomore season has been immense. Those who believed he would be a perfect fit in Oats' system (ahem) have been fully vindicated.
2023-24: 20.2 MPG, 7.3 PPG, 2.7 APG, 32/30/77
2024-25: 21.7 MPG, 11.8 PPG, 2.0 APG, 49/42/85
As a high school prospect, Holloway held the pedigree as one of the best shooters in the country. After a hot start last season at Auburn, Holloway lost all of his confidence and ended up with ugly shooting splits.
Perhaps the best thing you can say about Nate Oats is that he fills his guys with confidence. Holloway struggled with his shot early in the season, but instead of being publicly told he should shoot less, Oats encouraged him to keep shooting.
He's connected on 42% of his three-pointers this season. That number is at 50% in SEC play so far. He's a big reason Alabama is shooting 38.4% from three in SEC play, ranking third in the league.
Holloway has improved in all facets. His three-point shooting being the most obvious, but his at the rim finishing and his non-rim twos are way up too. He shot just 35.7% at the rim last season. He's at a much improved 56.8% this season. He hit 32.3% of his non-rim twos last season. This year, he developed his floater in the lane and has connected at an elite 66.7% on those attempts.
Holloway has given Alabama another player who the offense can be run through. He can play off-the-ball as well, but he can give Mark Sears breaks and run the offense, too. There's an argument to be made that Holloway should be on the ball more with Sears operating more as the two-guard.
On Saturday, Alabama will need Holloway's "A" game. It will take the "A" game from the whole team to be able to topple an elite Auburn team. With the way Holloway has been playing and with his former team providing extra motivation, I would expect him to bring his best effort.