Alabama’s Elite Eight Run Highlights Rapid Rise Under Nate Oats
NEWARK, N.J. — Alabama’s dominant Sweet 16 victory over BYU wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. The Crimson Tide’s 113-point explosion, fueled by a record-breaking 25 three-pointers, reinforced their growing reputation as a legitimate title contender.
While SEC powerhouses Auburn and Florida have traditionally grabbed national attention, Alabama has quietly become a March Madness mainstay. Now, for the second straight season, the Tide are in the Elite Eight, aiming for their first-ever national championship appearance.
The Nate Oats Effect
Alabama’s rise began in 2019 when the school took a gamble on Nate Oats, the then-Buffalo coach known for his fast-paced, analytics-driven system. At the time, the Tide weren’t a basketball powerhouse—despite having one of the richest athletic departments in the country ($214M annual revenue).
Since then, Oats has built Alabama into an offensive juggernaut, thriving in the new NIL and transfer portal era.
“When I got the job, we didn’t have the transfer portal or NIL,” Oats reflected. “It was harder to turn it around immediately.”
But once NIL money and the portal changed college basketball, Alabama adapted quickly, assembling rosters that could compete with the best. This year’s squad is a prime example, featuring a mix of star transfers and elite recruits:
✅ Mark Sears (transfer, 2022) – Integral to last year’s Final Four run
✅ Aden Holloway (transfer, 2024) – 23 points off the bench vs. BYU
✅ Three transfer starters from the portal
Despite spending less on basketball than many SEC rivals ($12.8M in 2023, ninth in the conference), Alabama has found ways to win big.
What’s Next?
Alabama’s biggest challenge yet comes in the Elite Eight against blueblood Duke and its superstar freshman Cooper Flagg. The Blue Devils are battle-tested, coming off a physical win against Arizona.
Beyond this season, Alabama faces a new challenge: The House v. NCAA settlement could shift the landscape, allowing schools to share $20.5M in revenue with players. With football likely taking the biggest slice, will Alabama be able to keep up in the NIL arms race for basketball?
For now, Oats’ squad is focused on one goal: punching their ticket to the Final Four—and maybe, finally, a shot at a national championship.