With only a few weeks left in the schedule, the No. 15 Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team has won 11 of its last 13 games and is presently ranked first in the Southeastern Conference. In just his fifth year leading the team, Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats is competing for the conference title for the third time. The Alabama basketball program is undoubtedly at an all-time high with a fourth
consecutive NCAA Tournament bid all but guaranteed, four conference titles won, and a top-10 recruiting class on the horizon. Although Oats has transformed the Crimson Tide into one of the most competitive teams in the country, he is aware that this is only the beginning of Alabama basketball’s legendary history.
The No. 15 Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team is currently ranked first in the Southeastern Conference and has won 11 of its last 13 games with a few weeks remaining in the schedule. Head coach Nate Oats of the Crimson Tide is making his third trip to the conference championship game in just his fifth year in charge of the team. With a fourth straight NCAA Tournament bid all but assured, four conference titles won, and a top-10 recruiting class approaching, the Alabama basketball program is clearly at an all-time high. Despite turning the Crimson Tide into one of the nation’s most competitive teams, Oats knows that Alabama basketball’s illustrious history is far from over.
It has been twenty years since Alabama’s most successful NCAA Tournament run. The Tide, under the coaching of former head coach Mark Gottfried, finished third in the SEC West with a mediocre 20-13 record and were seeded eighth in the NCAA Tournament.
The Tide advanced to the program’s first Elite 8 by defeating Southern Illinois, Stanford, the number one seed, and Syracuse in the Sweet 16. Alabama’s tournament run came to an end in the Phoenix Regional Final against eventual NCAA champion UConn, but they will still be recognized for their achievements on Saturday.
Yes, that will be really awesome. The squad [Antoine] Pettway was a part of that advanced to the Elite 8’s return. They will be honored tomorrow during the game. This place has a very strong sense of tradition. They’ve had numerous victories. Based on winning percentage, wins, total wins, and other metrics, we rank as the second or third best basketball program in SEC history, depending on
the stats you’re looking at. Respecting the past is a good idea. On the Saturday festivities, Oats said, “The teams that won a lot of the games before I was able to get here.” In light of that, and with Pettway returning, perhaps we can win tonight and extend our winning run to two games.
