Alabama prides itself on blue-collar basketball. AKA all the little things it takes to win games. Steals, deflections, blocked shots, offensive rebounds, charges taken, etc.
There was no player who embodied blue-collar basketball for Alabama better than Mo Dioubate over the last two seasons. He won several games for the Crimson Tide with his sheer will. He was never the most skilled player, but his energy and effort is difficult to replicate.
That made Dioubate's decision to enter the Transfer Portal after last season hard to stomach. The fact that he chose to depart for a conference rival in Kentucky made it even worse. It's also why he was booed every single time he touched the ball in Coleman Coliseum on Saturday afternoon.
But Alabama got the last laugh, taking down Dioubate and Kentucky 89-74 to open SEC play.
And in the process, it was freshman Amari Allen's opportunity to show that not only could he replace Dioubate's blue-collar toughness, but he was an overall upgrade for the Crimson Tide with skill far beyond a typical freshman.
Asked in the postgame if Allen had replaced Dioubate's toughness, Oats answered: "100%."
"I know we cross-matched and guarded with Trelly on Mo D, but with that group we started, he was our starting four, and Mo D played four or five," Oats said. "I mean, shoot, we even, at the very end, play Amari at the five. I mean, he’s our leading rebounder. He’s been that for a ton of games this year, I guess. But he’s also a combo guard, point guard on the other end, and can make plays. So, it’s nice when you can put a guy in there that’s talented enough to be a point guard on offense and tough enough to be your blue-collar toughness guy like Mo D was for us last year. Yeah, he’s good. I mean, he’s really good.”
Amari Allen has been a critical piece for Alabama basketball
Allen came out against Kentucky and set the tone before the first media timeout. He scored the game's first five points for the Crimson Tide and grabbed five rebounds during that four-minute period.
He made some big three-pointers, connecting on 3-of-4 for the game, and shook off a scary injury in the first half to finish the game with 11 points, nine rebounds, and three assists.
Allen is the most versatile player on Alabama's roster. At 6-foot-8 with guard skills, he has played every single spot on the floor for the Crimson Tide. His ability as a rebounder has allowed Oats to play him at the five for short stints, and he started at the four against Kentucky in place of the injured Taylor Bol Bowen.
And Allen is just scratching the surface of how good he can be. That's why he has quickly emerged as a realistic 2026 NBA Draft candidate.
Allen has done much more than replace the toughness vacated by Dioubate when he left. He's proven to be an upgrade and one of the most important players for the Crimson Tide this season.