Alabama basketball is the nation’s new No. 1, but Nate Oats doesn’t want it to get to the heads of the Crimson Tide.
Live from Texas in Austin, Oats told reporters that it “puts a bigger target” on Alabama (20-3, 9-1 SEC). Especially as the Iron Bowl looms against the former top team in the country.
“It’s nice for our fans to be ranked,” Oats said. “As far as us, internally, it should have zero effect on anything we do.”
Jan 4, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama guard Labaron Philon (0) talks with Alabama head coach Nate Oats during a free throw at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama defeated Oklahoma 107-79. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News
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When asked how Alabama would handle the not-so-newfound pressure, Oats, who has called the program “under-the-radar” throughout the season, shrugged it off.
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“Stay locked in, the same thing we’ve been doing,” Oats said. He showed the team a clip of football coaching legend Nick Saban on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” speaking about coaches calling him and asking what he does differently to get ready for a national championship.
“He almost looked at ’em like it was a stupid question,” Oats recalled of Saban. “Like, ‘You didn’t just have a big game last week? You weren’t getting ready for a big game the week before?’ “
Oats thinks it’d be just as “stupid” for Alabama to let the rankings change their mindset as it is to ask the man who brought six national football titles to Tuscaloosa such a question.
“We’re gonna keep these guys preparing for Texas as if it was a national championship game.”
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/words-football-legend-nick-saban-182304611.html
Author : The Tuscaloosa News
Publish date : 2025-02-10 18:23:00
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