The Crimson Tide’s hope to win its third SEC title in five years washed away in a blowout loss. It was the Gators who prevailed 104-82 in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament. No. 3 seed Alabama was in contention until the first half against the No. 2 seed Florida but lost the second half 57-37. Seeing the second-half performance, even the Head Coach, Nate Oats, had strong words for his teams.
“Thought they made a lot of tough plays. Started out of the gate in the second half with the boards in the first possession. I don’t think we competed hard enough on our rebounds. We didn’t do a good enough job on defense.” After the trouncing at Bridgestone Arena, Nate Oats spoke to the media and explained that what his team lacked was not on the stats sheet. It was the intangibles and the fundamentals where the Gators were able to beat the Crimson Tide for their fifth consecutive win.
“They started the second half on a 17-5 run the first five and a half minutes. That’s not what we expected out of this group. We’re going to have to regroup, see how bad we want to try to make a run again in the NCAA tournament this year. We’ll find out where we get sent, who our opponents are tomorrow. Try to regroup.” Despite losing the SEC semifinal, Nate Oats wants his players to turn it around for March Madness. Apart from pride and the prestige of winning, there are financial implications for the 50-year-old coach.
Before this season, he led Bama to two SEC titles and made two Sweet 16 appearances, and last year, he signed a new contract that runs until 2030. With that contract, there are new perks for Nate Oats. For winning the NCAA title, the head coach could pocket an extra $500,000. Even if the team loses, he is guaranteed $300,000. The rest of the amount is $25,000 each for the round of 32 appearance, round of 16 appearance, round of eight, and the Final Four. The remaining $50K is for making it to March Madness.
How Nate Oats and Co. surrendered the game against the Gators
For the second straight year on Saturday, the Florida Gators dominated Alabama basketball in the SEC Tournament. They turned a two-point halftime lead to a 42-point blowout. Their 104-82 win set a new record for points scored in a single SEC Tournament game. The Crimson Tide only trailed 47-45 at halftime, but the Gators outscored the Crimson Tide 57-37 in the second half.
Nov 26, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats watches the game against the Houston Cougars during the second half at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey (Tyge) O’Donnell-Imagn Images
Before the start of the season, Alabama basketball earned praise for having one of the deepest rosters in program history and possibly the country. Still there is a lot of work to do for Nate Oats in order to make his team a contender. “I mean, the effort I saw in the second half wasn’t what I would have liked to see going into the NCAA tournament.”
That’s why he was wondering if Alabama (25-8) has the toughness and the effort to make a run in March Madness. The Crimson Tide coach’s words surely sting his players now. But it might inspire the team for the March Madness.
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