Nate Oats Joins “Hey Coach”

With Alabama Football on a bye week ahead of their highly-anticipated matchup with Georgia, Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide men's basketball team took the seat of honor on "Hey Coach" with Chris Stewart on Wednesday night.

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Oats had a lot to say about his Crimson Tide roster, some newcomers, and when Alabama will be starting preparation for its star-studded season.

When does Alabama basketball begin practice for the season?

Nate Oats informed Chris Stewart and the Crimson Tide fanbase that Alabama will begin its season preparation practice on Monday, 42 days before the start of the season on November 4.

Oats had a lot of positive things to say about his roster heading into 2024, "This might be the deepest, most complete, best roster we've had since we've been here."

Alabama basketball features several of the top players in the nation. Mark Sears is one of the top returning guards, Grant Nelson is returning as one of the best stretch fours in the country, Latrell Wrightsell Jr. was a strong shooter from three, and Jarin Stevenson has a bright future as a star in college basketball.

Oats said on Wednesday night that Wrightsell was the 4th-most efficient player in the country last season after being outside the top 500 during his time at CSU Fullerton.

Oats also talked about a few of the newcomers to Alabams's roster, including Labaron Philon, "Labaron Philon has been way better than I thought he was gonna be," Oats said. "And he was a highly-rated kid. He's gonna be right in the mix."

On Aden Holloway, Oats mentioned he could have a similar role to Aaron Estrada last season while shooting better than Estrada. "[Aden} is better than what I thought he was going to be."

Latrell Wrightsell Jr. joined Oats at the table on Wednesday night, and he looks to help Alabama basketball return to the Final Four once again, "Bringing back all the guys that played in the Final Four ... I can teach the younger guys what to do. I know what we're going through, and what we will face throughout the season."

How is Nate Oats holding the preseason hype for Alabama Men's Basketball? He cares more about the last poll than the first poll, "I'd rather be ranked No. 1 in the last poll than the first poll, but being ranked No. 1 in both the last poll and the first poll is fine too."

Oats shined praise on Wrightsell on Wednesday night, making a declaration about Latrell Wrightsell Jr., "Half of the best backcourt in the country right here."

What was Oats's final word on Wednesday night? "We've got a special team, and we know it. ... They've all got great attitudes. They've all been working their tails off. "I wouldn't miss anything you could possibly be at this season because it's going to be a special season."

Alabama Men;'s Basketball will open its season at home on November 4 against UNC Asheville.