Alabama basketball head coach Nate Oats was itching to get out of his post-selection present digital press convention. His Crimson Tide was matched up with Charleston within the first spherical of the NCAA Event, and Oats had issues to do.
“Gotta get carried out with this Zoom so I can get to work determining find out how to beat Charleston,” Oats stated.
Oats admitted that he hadn’t been particularly accustomed to the Cougars earlier than the matchup was introduced Sunday. Nevertheless, from what he did know in regards to the crew, which earned its NCAA Event bid by profitable the Coastal Athletic Affiliation, he noticed similarities to a gaggle he is aware of properly.
“Fairly just like us, to be sincere with you,” Oats stated. “I imply, their offense is high 60 within the nation. Their tempo of play is high 50. Their 3-point price is high 20. They’re enjoying quick, spreading it out, taking a number of threes. We’re gonna need to see precisely how they get it, however I’m about to see. My employees’s already engaged on Charleston.”
Oats and the Crimson Tide are limping into the large dance. UA earned a double-bye within the SEC Event, however fell in its first sport in Nashville in opposition to Florida and is struggling on each ends of the court docket.
The coach acknowledged issues might want to change if Alabama is to make any kind of run to finish the season. In the meantime, Charleston is on a 12-game profitable streak and will likely be trying to begin a cinderella story.
“We’re treating it prefer it’s a complete new season and we’re enjoying a extremely good crew,” Oats stated. “I’ve been on the opposite aspect of this. I’ve been a 13-seed enjoying a 4 at Buffalo and got here in and beat Arizona, so I’ve bought a reasonably good concept of the mindset of that group. And so they’re hungry. I’m certain they’ll’t wait to play us. They’re excited.”
The sport is scheduled for Friday at 6:35 p.m. CT in Spokane. Oats stated he was pleased with the time and date, noting that enjoying on Friday useful for the crew to be rested and wholesome.
Alabama may have assistant coach Austin Claunch with the crew by the postseason, earlier than he heads to UTSA as the pinnacle coach of the Roadrunners.
“So completely happy for Austin,” Oats stated. He’s an ideal tradition man. He’s an ideal thoughts as a head coach, introduced so much to this system. We each realized from one another within the 12 months he was right here. I feel he’ll do an ideal job there.”
Alabama’s Friday sport will likely be aired on TruTV.