Alabama senior forward Grant Nelson has been considered a game-time decision for the Crimson Tide's first-round matchup against Robert Morris. According to a report from 247Sports via Alabama's NIL collective Yea Alabama, Nelson will be available for today's game against the Colonials.
Nate Oats had considered Nelson a game-time decision for the opening round matchup and mentioned he had a better chance of playing in Sunday's second round game against St. Mary's or Vanderbilt, assuming the Tide makes it past 15-seeded Robert Morris.
Nelson being available doesn't mean he is going to start the game and doesn't necessarily mean he's going to play. It just means he is available if the team needs him. I would expect Oats to start either Mo Dioubate or Jarin Stevenson at the four next to Cliff Omoruyi and see how things are going the first few minutes of the game.
If Alabama is able to jump out to an early big lead against Robert Morris, then there's a chance Nelson never checks into the game and Oats can rest him and get ready for Sunday's game. But if things aren't going as smoothly as hoped, Oats can turn to his trusted veteran off the bench to provide a spark in what would likely be limited minutes.
In a win-or-go-home setting, you can't risk shutting Nelson down completely if he's healthy enough to play. He surely won't be 100%, but there's no way he is willing to watch his career end from the bench if he feels like he can provide any kind of value to this team.
Nelson is Alabama's second leading scorer on the season and the leads the team in rebounds and blocked shots. He is one of the most important players on the team and has had a tendency to show up in big games for the Crimson Tide.
In the final game of the regular season, Nelson scored 23 points and grabbed 8 rebounds as Alabama knocked off No. 1 Auburn in overtime.
In last season's run to the Final Four, Nelson came up huge in Alabama's Sweet 16 win over 1-seed North Carolina. He scored 24 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and blocked 5 shots as Alabama advanced to the Final Four for the first time in school history.