Nate Oats always has high expectations for Alabama basketball. He has built one of the most consistent programs in the country during his seven years in Tuscaloosa, and he hasn't shied away from raising the bar every chance he gets.
Oats did just that during Alabama's non-conference schedule. Following a 3-1 start to the season that included wins over St. John's and Illinois, Oats stated he thought he had a team capable of winning a national championship.
It's been a good season for the Crimson Tide, especially relative to where the program has historically been. But they have not looked like a legitimate national title contender since that statement, something that has clearly irked Oats, as he believes the team fell short of expectations heading into the NCAA Tournament.
Alabama earned a 4-seed during Selection Sunday, which is just the 9th time in program history it has earned a 4-seed or higher. It's the fifth time it has happened under Oats, including the fourth consecutive season. But Oats had higher hopes for this team.
"I didn't plan on being a 4 seed this year," Oats said. ... To me, it's been a little bit of a disappointment. At the end of the day, we didn't win enough games for what we expect around here."
Nate Oats called Alabama's season a 'disappointment' before the NCAA Tournament
A 4-seed is nothing to sneeze at for the Crimson Tide, but this team certainly had the potential to be in a better spot. Injuries and inconsistent stretches proved costly. Alabama had a chance to navigate them and still fight their way up to a 3-seed, but blew a golden opportunity in the SEC Tournament by falling to Ole Miss in the quarterfinals.
Fortunately for the Crimson Tide, history might be on their side. When Alabama made the Final Four two years ago, it was a 4-seed and navigated a difficult end of the regular season before going on a run in the Big Dance to reach Phoenix.
Alabama doesn't have an easy draw this year by any means, but with a banged-up Texas Tech in the 2nd Round and a banged-up Michigan in the Sweet 16, the path is there for Oats to lead this team on another deep run.
Led by elite guard play with Labaron Philon and Aden Holloway, Alabama is a team that many won't want to see during March Madness, and it will have the opportunity to make up for a "disappointing" regular season.