Alabama’s men’s basketball program is gearing up for a promising season, aiming for a national championship after consecutive appearances in the Elite Eight. Coach Nate Oats emphasized the importance of improving defensive play as the key to achieving this goal. The team reached the Final Four in the 2022-23 season and is determined to build upon this success.
Traditionally, discussions around defense do not occur until the summer months. However, Alabama is prioritizing this aspect earlier than usual, highlighting a strategic shift. Despite ranking in the top four for offensive efficiency in the past two seasons, the team’s defensive performance has raised concerns. In the 2022-23 season, Alabama ranked 111th in defensive efficiency, but made strides to improve to 28th in the following season. Oats stated, “If we could get our defense back in the top 10, top five in the country, I think that’s the answer.” He underscored the necessity of accountability and coaching to enhance this crucial component.
Defensive Strategy and Coaching Changes
To bolster the defense, Brian Adams, assistant coach and defensive coordinator, is taking the lead. Adams, in his second year with Alabama after a lengthy career in the NBA, has begun adapting to the nuances of college basketball. Oats remarked on Adams’ growth, noting, “He’s done a great job. He’s got a year in college now… I think he’s much more aware as to, a lot of college offenses aren’t what the NBA is running.”
The Crimson Tide will showcase their defensive strategies in upcoming exhibition games, starting with a match against Florida State on October 16, 2023, as part of the Ballin in Boutwell event at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham. A second exhibition game against Furman is scheduled for October 26, providing the team with valuable opportunities to demonstrate improvements.
The season opener will take place against North Dakota on November 3, 2023, at Coleman Coliseum. Guard Houston Mallette expressed confidence in the team’s defensive growth, stating, “I definitely think the defense will be better this season, 100%. In film, we’ve had a much more focused approach on it… If you want to win, you have to guard.”
With a commitment to enhancing their defensive capabilities, the Alabama Crimson Tide is poised for an exciting season ahead, eager to convert their offensive prowess into a championship run.