According to ESPN's analytics, Alabama Basketball has a 62.1% probability of beating the Tennessee Vols on Saturday. If the model is accurate, it means the two teams are equal, and the Crimson Tide's advantage lies in its home court and crowd.
Nate Oats adding Charles Bediako to the roster should improve Alabama's chances. Keitenn Bristow is still recovering from an injury. Despite some spurts of positive contribution, Noah Williamson has not proved he is up to the physicality of SEC play. If nothing more, Bediako can provide rebounding and defensive help. If Aiden Sherrell gets into foul trouble, Bediako could be a game-saver for the Crimson Tide.
A win on Saturday might not be a win forever. The Temporary Injunction Order (TRO) allowing Bediako to play is in place for only 10 days. A subsequent court hearing is scheduled for Jan. 27. Even if Bediako prevails again, the NCAA might take action, drawing out the dispute longer.
In the TRO ruling, the NCAA was "further restrained from threatening, imposing, attempting to impose, suggesting, or implying any penalties or sanctions on Mr. Bediako or the University of Alabama or its coaches or other student-athletes as a result of Mr. Bediako's participation in Division I athletics competition under the Rule of Restitution (NCAA Bylaw 12.11.4.2) or otherwise."
The restraint of the NCAA is not inviolable. A future court decision could allow the NCAA to punish Alabama for game participation by an ineligible player. An Alabama win could be vacated, along with other penalties.
Worth the risk for Alabama Basketball?
Apparently, Nate Oats and Greg Byrne believe the risk is worth taking. Surely they were aware that the Alabama program would get widely slammed by adding a player with 46 games of G League experience. Going back to 2023, Bediako has signed multiple NBA two-way and Exhibit 10 contracts. He was eligible to play in NBA games with three NBA teams. All three teams waived him without playing him.
There is another perspective to NCAA eligibility murkiness. Former professional league players already play on college teams. One example is Auburn's Filip Jovic, who played on European professional teams for four seasons before joining the Tigers.
Nate Oats is not the only college basketball coach who would have been willing to take a chance by adding Bediako to their roster. Hopefully, Oats made the right decision for Alabama Basketball.