Welcome Back, Jarin Stevenson

Austin, Texas - "A six-foot-11, 215-pound forward from Chapel Hill, North Carolina."

The Alabama basketball PA announcer in Coleman Coliseum has announced Jarin Stevenson's height, weight, and hometown every game in SEC play for the Crimson Tide. After returning to Alabama following a brief time in the NBA draft process, Stevenson and Alabama had fans excited for year No. 2 in the Nate Oats system. Stevenson should have been preparing for his high school prom, yet he was draining threes in Los Angeles to help send Alabama to the Final Four at 17 years old.

Stevenson should be a true freshman in college, yet he is in his second year at Alabama, starting 19 games so far in his second season. A six-foot-11 forward who shot 31.7% from three the previous year, what could Oats unlock in Stevenson's game in year two?

Year two started slower than what Alabama wanted. His best game came in November, where he scored 11 points in the 83-81 loss to Oregon. Stevenson's three-point shooting dropped eight points from his freshman to his sophomore year.

Despite the lack of scoring production for the sophomore, Oats was positive, but told Stevenson what he needed from him despite the scoring drought earlier in SEC play,

“He’s about the right stuff,” Oats told reporters in January. "He’s always been about the right stuff. I think he’s tried to please the coaching staff so much to the point of — like afraid to make a mistake almost. I kinda met with him and just said ‘Look, man. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake, just make sure it's a mistake of commission where you’re committing the mistake. Not an omission… just be a little more aggressive. If you think maybe you should go block the shot, just go block the shot — we’ll get your back over there. So, if you think maybe you should do it, just go do it. Let’s just start being more aggressive, let’s have an attacking mentality on the defensive and offensive end.”

The breakthrough started on Saturday, in Alabama's 85-81 victory over Arkansas. While four points in 22 minutes may not be "breakthrough" worthy, it was the rest of what Stevenson was able to do that made him stand out on a re-watch. Five rebounds, with four of them coming defensively, and a +8 in the +/- Category, one block, and one steal reinforced the 'attacking mentality' Oats wanted to see on the defensive side.

On Tuesday against Texas, Stevenson's effort and work throughout the season led to an offensive explosion in Alabama's 103-80 win over Texas.

Stevenson, making his 19th start of the season for Alabama, started the game hot, with seven points in the first eight minutes of the game for the Crimson Tide. Stevenson has trended in this direction for several games, starting hot before cooling off for the rest of the games. Stevenson only continued to heat up against Texas, leading Alabama in made three-point shots with four on the night. He was the leader for Alabama in points as well with 22, adding four rebounds and one block in the victory.

"Number 15. Jarin Stevenson!"

Stevenson joined Oats in the postgame press conference, where despite the 22-point game, Oats opened the night with praise for his defense. Oats commended Stevenson for his defense of Texas star Tre Johnson. It didn't take long for Oats to acknowledge what Stevenson did offensively,

"Really happy to see him have a great shooting game like he did tonight," Oats said in the postgame.

With the victory over the Longhorns, Alabama can fully turn its attention to the biggest game of the year (so far) - the Iron Bowl of Basketball (The IBOB) on Saturday. Alabama, ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll, will host the Auburn Tigers, ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll. The rankings are flipped in the coaches poll.

What does the chance provide for Alabama on Saturday?

"It's a chance for us to prove ourselves," Stevenson said postgame. "I feel like we have a great team and we're definitely gonna prepare."

It is, officially, Auburn Hate Week in Tuscaloosa.

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_.