While Grant Nelson was listed as available to play, effectively in case of emergency against Robert Morris, Nate Oats hoped to avoid playing his senior forward to get him an extra couple days of rest and recovery for his injured knee.
With 8:47 left to play, Oats had to break the glass and insert Nelson into the game with Alabama clinging to just a four-point lead and all the momentum firmly on the side of the Colonials. Oats didn't even have to make the decision himself. Nelson made it for him.
Nate Oats told truTV that Grant Nelson in the second half stood up on the bench and said "put me in."
— Nick Kelly (@_NickKelly) March 21, 2025
Nelson didn't want his college career to end sitting on the bench. He sensed his team needed him and rose to the occasion, as he often has during his two-year Alabama career.
The stats don't jump off the page, but in seven minutes, Nelson made a big impact with five points, three rebounds, and a steal. It was his effort level that was sorely needed as for the majority of the afternoon it was Robert Morris winning the effort-plays and tracking down the 50-50 balls.
Alabama pushed the lead to double-digits shortly after, going on a 10-2 run after Robert Morris took a brief lead. The game was tense, but not up in the air in the last couple of minutes as the Crimson Tide held on for a 90-81 win.
Nelson is one of Alabama's most important pieces. They don't make the Final Four last year without him and they have no chance of a deep run in the NCAA Tournament this year without him, either. Alabama hoped they could rest him and ease past Robert Morris in the first round, allowing an extra two days of recovery for Nelson before Sunday's 2nd round matchup.
Much more will be needed from Grant Nelson moving forward
Alabama got away with a limited, seven-minute role from Nelson in the win over Robert Morris. That won't cut it against either St. Mary's or Vanderbilt on Sunday. Both of those teams are capable of knocking off the Crimson Tide, particularly if the effort we saw from Alabama on Friday is what they bring with them to the arena in two days.
There's no questioning how much Nelson wants it. He has played hard all season long in spite of various injuries. He's been banged up all year but he goes out there and competes.
Alabama needed his competitiveness on Friday against Robert Morris. They needed someone to play with the win-or-go-home desperation, and they got that from a fifth-year senior hoping for one more deep run to cap his career.