Hold on tight, Bama basketball fans! After back-to-back Elite Eight appearances, can Nate Oats and his revamped Crimson Tide squad possibly keep the momentum going? The buzz is building, and while the team is starting lower in the preseason polls than some might expect, Oats has a plan. Let's dive in to see what he's saying about the upcoming season, the new faces on the roster, and that killer schedule he's cooked up.
Every year, all 32 SEC basketball coaches converge in Birmingham for SEC Media Days, held at the swanky Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook. It's a chance for them to preview their teams and set the stage for the season ahead. This year, Nate Oats took center stage on Tuesday afternoon, fresh off those impressive Elite Eight runs. He spilled the beans on what he anticipates from the 2025-26 team and, crucially, why he believes in the power of a challenging schedule. Buckle up, because it's a wild ride!
Ready to get the inside scoop on the team before the season tips off? Let's break down what Coach Oats had to say as he embarks on his seventh season leading the Crimson Tide.
'We lost quite a bit' – Acknowledging the Changes
Let's face it: Alabama has been the team to watch in college basketball lately. They're the only program to reach a Final Four and two Elite Eights in the last two seasons. And get this: they've consistently landed in the top 6 of the final AP Poll for the past three years. Impressive, right?
But here's where it gets controversial... Despite all that recent success, Alabama starts the season at No. 15 in the preseason AP Poll. Now, before you cry foul, consider this: it is the fifth consecutive year the Tide has appeared in the preseason poll, marking their longest streak since the 1970s. So, while Oats has earned some serious credibility with the national media, he's also realistic about why his team isn't ranked even higher.
"We’re excited for the year. Obviously we lost a lot last year with (Mark) Sears, First Team All-American, had three really good years for us… We not only lost him, we lost Cliff (Omouryi), Grant (Nelson), lost multiple starters. Chris Youngblood is playing very well on the Thunder’s team in the exhibitions… We lost quite a bit but I think we’ve got good talent coming in,” Oats admitted.
In other words, while the cupboard isn’t bare, there are some significant holes to fill. The good news? Oats seems confident in the talent he's bringing in.
Leading the charge of returning players is Labaron Philon, who impressed as a freshman and has already earned preseason All-SEC first-team honors from the coaches. Keep an eye on him!
Other key players to watch this season include:
- Latrell Wrightsell
- Houston Mallette
- Aden Holloway
- Aiden Sherrell
- Noah Williamson
- Jalil Bethea
Philon himself seems optimistic about the team's potential: "This team could be really special. We got a lot of guys that want to be here and want to be on this team, and a lot of guys believe in Coach Oats and what he says. I think if we keep building on that, we’re going to be such a great team, and it’s going to be hard to stop us. We have a lot of guards that can play at a really high level. The frontcourt – the three bigs that we have now – it’s perfect for the way we play. We want to get guys open, attack the paint, and have shooting bigs to spread the opponent out."
Strength of Schedule: No Cupcakes Allowed!
Playing in the SEC is a grind in itself, but Nate Oats isn't one to shy away from a challenge. He consistently schedules a brutal non-conference slate to test his team early and often. And this year? He's taken it to another level.
Here's a sneak peek at the gauntlet they'll face:
- at No. 5 St. John’s
- No. 1 Purdue
- vs. No. 17 Illinois (in Chicago)
- vs. No. 21 Gonzaga (in Las Vegas)
- vs. No. 13 Arizona (in Birmingham)
And this is the part most people miss... That's before they even begin SEC play, which kicks off with a visit from No. 9 Kentucky! Currently, there are six SEC teams ranked in the preseason AP Poll, so the conference schedule will be no walk in the park, either. Talk about a trial by fire!
So, why does Oats do it? He explains it this way: "I don’t think playing 13 cupcakes prepares you for SEC play. Whether we win or lose, I’ve never shied away from playing the best schedule in the country, we’ve had the number one strength of schedule for a number of years, had it last year, the year before, I believe. You play the best teams, you figure out where your weaknesses are, and you fix ’em immediately… I’d much rather be whatever it is, 8-5, 9-4, 10-3 going into conference play than 13-0 and having no idea what your weaknesses are, where you got to get better, all that."
Basically, Oats believes that facing tough competition early on exposes flaws and forces his team to improve rapidly, which is crucial for long-term success. This is a bold strategy, and one that isn't without risk.
Ballin' in Boutwell: Your First Look
Want to catch the Crimson Tide in action before the real games begin? You're in luck! Fans can get their first glimpse of this year's team this Thursday night when they take on Florida State in an exhibition game at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham.
Here's what you need to know:
- Who: Alabama vs. Florida State
- Where: Boutwell Auditorium | Birmingham, AL
- When: 7PM
- More info: https://www.ballininboutwell.com/?gadsource=1&gadcampaignid=23123861672&gbraid=0AAAABBAMXskVpM4OyAb-opnJOWpemZgE&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6bfHBhDNARIsAIGsqLhdwFwMdukiadyIDDWE7STmRK4wjuEhoXfva8sFtF4Pax-mbbrngAEaAjnFEALwwcB
"We’re excited to get this thing going again. Feels like we’ve been going against each other, starting first week of June, you get eight weeks in the summer. We started class the middle of August. Been going for two months now. Kind of going against each other for about four months now. It’s time. We’re ready to play, get the exhibition with Florida State on Thursday. Our guys are ready to go against somebody else,” Oats said, clearly eager to start playing some real games.
So, what do you think? Can this new-look Alabama team live up to the high expectations set by the previous squads? Is Nate Oats's brutal schedule a stroke of genius or a recipe for early-season struggles? Will Labaron Philon become the next star in Tuscaloosa? Let us know your predictions in the comments below! And don't forget to sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on all things Bama basketball! https://thebamabuzz.com/newsletter-signup
