Alabama Basketball: Three Consecutive Sweet 16 Appearances Are No Small Feat

Under Nate Oats, Alabama basketball has seen its expectations soar, but the truth is, three straight Sweet 16 appearances are a remarkable achievement. This marks the second time in program history that such a feat has been accomplished, and what was once a distant dream for passionate Alabama basketball fans is now a reality.

There was a time when making it to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament seemed like an unlikely occurrence for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Fans now have a reason to appreciate the program’s progress. Sure, if this team doesn’t reach a second consecutive Final Four, it will be disappointing, and some may view it as a missed opportunity, but Alabama basketball fans have never had the chance to feel this way before.

Entering March Madness with high expectations has a distinct feeling. There’s a certain confidence that’s been instilled since Nate Oats took over in Tuscaloosa, which has permeated the players and fans alike. Now, there’s a belief that the Crimson Tide can compete with, and defeat, any team in the nation.

Nate Oats has made it appealing for top high school recruits and prominent transfer portal players to consider joining Alabama. The success experienced by players like Mark Sears and Grant Nelson in Tuscaloosa will only attract others looking for a fresh start. Players like Cliff Omoruyi are now choosing Alabama over prestigious programs like North Carolina.

It took the right leadership at the University of Alabama to elevate basketball from a secondary priority. While football will always be the main focus in Tuscaloosa, there’s no reason to accept mediocrity in basketball. With high expectations from the program’s leadership, things have fallen into place, and the basketball program is now in a strong position.

This mirrors the broader SEC’s focus on making basketball a priority within the conference. It’s been a successful strategy for both Alabama and the entire SEC, with the Crimson Tide and six other teams advancing to the Sweet 16. With everything still in play this season, the team’s recent success is here to stay.

Nate Oats Issues Warning: Will Alabama Basketball Respond?

After a subpar performance against Robert Morris, Nate Oats has issued a warning for his Alabama basketball team ahead of their second-round NCAA Tournament game against Saint Mary’s. Will his players take it to heart?

Alabama entered the 2024-25 season with National Championship aspirations, but if the effort shown against Robert Morris carries over into their next game, the Crimson Tide could face an early exit from the NCAA Tournament. While it may not be “Final Four or bust,” losing in the first weekend would still be a major letdown for such a talented team.

Each year, plenty of teams with immense talent fall short of their potential during March Madness. Oats fears his team is on the verge of such a disappointment unless they step up their game against Saint Mary’s on Sunday night in Cleveland.

“It’s going to take some toughness,” Oats said about his team’s mindset going into the game. “If we come in soft, we won’t have a chance to win.”

Oats believes defensive rebounding will be key in the matchup. “We need to get them to miss. Our defense has to improve from where it was against Robert Morris.”

Oats issued a similar warning after Alabama’s loss to Florida in the SEC Tournament semifinals, stressing that without playing harder and tougher in the NCAA Tournament, an early exit was inevitable.

Robert Morris outplayed Alabama in toughness, winning the offensive rebound battle 16-5. Alabama can’t afford a repeat performance against Saint Mary’s, a team ranked second in the nation for offensive rebounding. The Gaels grab over 40% of their own missed shots and will punish the Tide if they lack effort on the glass.

As Pat Riley once said, “No Rebounds, No Rings.”

How Alabama Can Beat Saint Mary’s and Advance to the Sweet 16

The game will hinge on pace and rebounding. Alabama, playing at the fastest pace in the country, will aim to increase the tempo and create more possessions. Saint Mary’s, ranked 360th out of 365 teams in pace, will attempt to slow the game down significantly.

While not a strong shooting team, Saint Mary’s compensates with dominance on the boards. They shoot under 33% from three, 51.5% on two-point shots, and below 70% from the free-throw line, but they excel at rebounding.

For Alabama to succeed, they must commit to defending the glass, limiting Saint Mary’s second-chance opportunities. It won’t just be the big men—players like Cliff Omoruyi, Grant Nelson, and Mo Dioubate—who need to step up. The guards will also have to box out and contribute to the rebounding effort. It will take a team-wide commitment.

Alabama has shown its potential at times this season but hasn’t always been consistent. Now, the Crimson Tide faces a make-or-break moment.