Nate Oats Prioritized Rest in Kentucky Beatdown

Nashville, Tenn. - Going into Alabama's game against Kentucky on Friday night in the SEC tournament, the conversation around the Crimson Tide was one of needing rest, as Alabama's veteran players looked gassed to end the regular season.

Get our free mobile app

Alabama took no interest in the idea of losing early in the SEC tournament, dominating the Kentucky Wildcats in a 99-70 victory for the Crimson Tide. However, Alabama may have gotten the best of both worlds. Veteran players were able to get rest as Alabama throttled Kentucky and younger stars, Labaron Philon, Jarin Stevenson, etc., rounded out the final minutes of the Crimson Tide's monumental victory.

Only one Alabama player played over 26 minutes in the victory - Mark Sears. Sears still only played 30 minutes in the win, a lesser number than he is used to playing this season. Sears averages 33 minutes played per game this year.

Alabama head coach Nate Oats talked about allowing his team to rest despite having to play on Friday night in the SEC tournament.

"We were fortunate that they weren't as deep as us. I thought our transition could get to them - we ended up breaking them there towards the end of the first half and early second half," Oats said postgame. "These guys played great, I think it's the best game Jarin [Stevenson] has played all year, kinda peaking at the right time. Labaron [Philon] is peaking at the right time."

"We were able to rest some of our older guys," Oats continued. "We're gonna need them against Florida."

Oats also talked about Alabama being rested coming into the SEC tournament while Kentucky had to play on Thursday night.

"We earned the double bye, which I think helped us tonight. Kentucky had to play last night, and they didn't look as fresh as we did."

Alabama will look for revenge on a Florida squad that bested the Crimson Tide in Coleman Coliseum just 10 days ago in the semifinals of the SEC tournament on Saturday.

The Sportsbook at Pearl River Resort sponsors coverage of the SEC Tournament. Located at Golden Moon Hotel & Casino, it offers traditional sports betting, where guests can bet on all professional league sports and major collegiate sporting events.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.