We're just 24 hours away from Alabama basketball's 2026-27 season opener at home against Sam Houston on Tuesday night in Coleman Coliseum. Nate Oats, entering his eighth season as the Crimson Tide's head coach, addressed the media on Monday.
The most important takeaway from Oats' media availability was that he updated the injury statuses of freshmen Cole Cloer and Anderson Diaz.
Cloer missed the Tide's final exhibition game against Auburn due to a minor injury. Diaz suffered an elbow injury in practice during the preseason and missed all three exhibition games. It appears that both are making good progress, but only Cloer is expected to play against Sam Houston:
“We’re still a little banged up; we’re not fully healthy,” Oats said. “Anderson (Diaz) and Cole (Cloer) are probably the two that we’re keeping an eye on most. They’ve both been having an increased workload in practice. Based on today, and obviously I’ll have to get feedback from Clarke (Holter) after they get treatment today and tomorrow morning, my guess would be Cole is probable for tomorrow. I would doubt that Anderson is ready to go yet. Clarke wants to make sure that his elbow is at full strength before we put him in there.”
Nate Oats believes Cole Cloer is probable, Anderson Diaz is doubtful for Alabama's season opener
Cloer was one of Alabama's biggest standouts during the first two exhibition games. He averaged 16 points per game in wins over Furman and Ole Miss, shooting above 40% from three and showing some playmaking skills off the dribble.
Cloer looks like a real threat to eventually supplant sophomore London Jemison in the starting lineup on the wing thanks to his elite offensive ability. His ability on the defensive end will likely determine his eventual role in Tuscaloosa.
Diaz has yet to play after missing the three exhibition games, but he's one of the most exciting freshmen for an elite group of newcomers Oats has brought to town. Diaz was a 5-star recruit in the 2027 class, but decided to reclassify into the 2026 cycle and join Alabama a year early. He figures to have a prominent role off the bench as the tertiary ball-handler behind Amari Allen and Aden Holloway.
Getting him on the court this week would be big for his early development, as Holloway will miss both games to complete his five-game suspension. While he's unlikely to play tomorrow night against Sam Houston, Alabama will be back on the court on Friday at Coleman Coliseum against Arkansas State.
Oats has built some outstanding depth on this year's team, and while they will enter the season at less than 100%, it appears Alabama is approaching full strength.
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