Alabama basketball has minimal margin for mistake

• Myron MedcalfFeb 21, 2025, 09:00 AM ET Close Covers college basketball Signed up with ESPN.com in 2011

• Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.– As Alabama head coach Nate Oats attempted to explain his team’s 110-98 loss to Missouri on Wednesday, an emergency alarm interrupted the news conference.

“Your attention please! Your attention please!” a voice said as a siren blasted. “A fire has actually been reported in the building.”

The minute seemed like a metaphor for the pressure cooker the Crimson Tide have actually found themselves in for the past year given that losing to the eventual national champ UConn in their unforeseen run to the Final Four– and the journey they’re on to make another shot at the crown.

“We want to return here and win this entire thing,” Oats said after that loss to the Huskies. “And I think that’s what our goal is going to be. We’re going to aim to get back here.”

Exactly 322 days later on, No. 4 Alabama will attempt to avoid a 3rd successive loss when it hosts No. 17 Kentucky on Saturday (6 p.m. ET, ESPN) in the Tide’s 2nd straight look on “College Gameday” following last weekend’s 94-85 home loss to No. 1 Auburn, their archrival. It marked the beginning of a grueling seven-game stretch for Alabama against top-25 groups (half of which currently rank inside the leading 10).

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Wednesday’s loss at Missouri was emblematic of Alabama’s long road back to the Last Four: There is very little margin for error for a group chasing after the first national championship in program history. However the Crimson Tide know no matter how they emerge from this gauntlet, they will not get anybody’s pity. They’re among the game’s elite programs and making a go to San Antonio is now the expectation.Anything short will seem like defeat.These next five games will amplify the concern on an Alabama squad that could solidify a front runner on Choice Sunday if the Tide don’t squander chances and limp into the postseason. However the stakes don’t scare Oats– he enjoys them because, as he said, the challenges are the only way to prepare Alabama for what’s ahead. That’s why he coaches his team to run towards pressure, not from it.” To be sincere with you, we know we are among the best groups in the country, however [Oats] does an excellent job of letting us understand we’re not anywhere near where we require to be, and we know that, too, “senior guard Chris Youngblood informed ESPN.”We know we’re not playing anywhere close to what we can. So feeling in one’s bones that in the back of our head, we have no choice however to simply keep on being hungry.” That concept was evident in late January when Oats benched Mark Sears, a second-team Associated Press All-American in 2023-24, in the second half of an 80-73 win over LSU amidst a lackluster efficiency– a spectacular relocation for among the top players in the country that prompted his mother to reveal her disappointment on Facebook.While he sat on the bench for the 2nd half, Sears was supportive of his teammates and dumbfounded. Sure, coaches send out messages to their groups to prove that every player should follow the very same requirements. But midway through an SEC game? That’s nearly unusual. Nate Oats benched Mark Sears during a Jan. 25 game versus LSU. Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images After additional reflection, nevertheless, Sears later on acknowledged that he had not been the leader his group required over that stretch. “Me and [ Oats] discussed

it after the game and whatever was great,”Sears stated.”Whatever has been truly good since then. I feel like everybody is together and we’re going to actually require to be together, especially coming through this [seven-game] stretch with the schedule we’ve got. “The stunning choice renewed Sears, who has averaged 19.8 points and 4.8 assists because that Jan. 25 night; it also enhanced his bond with Oats and assisted the group to refocus on their lofty goals.With the return of

Sears and Grant Nelson, paired with brand-new additions like Rutgers transfer Clifford Omoruyi and top-30 hire Labaron Philon, Alabama began the season ranked second in the AP survey. The Tide were likewise chosen to win the SEC, which might end the season with a record variety of bids on Choice Sunday.To live up to those expectations, the Tide will need to consume over the details.Men’s Tournament Challenge Register now to play the # 1 Men’s bracket game for FREE!$135,000 in rewards.