Alabama Crimson Tide: Nate Oats keeps slamming doors in Kentucky’s face
After Kentucky ran off John Calipari, there was wide speculation that the Wildcats wanted Nate Oats. Oats was not interested in leaving the Alabama Crimson Tide. He says he was never offered the Kentucky job. Others say if Oats had expressed any interest, Kentucky would have tried to hire him quickly. Instead, the Wildcats went with Mark Pope.
Kentucky fans love their former player, who is now head coach, but they might hate losing with even greater intensity. In Nashville this week, Mark Pope said, “If you’re gonna beat us, you’re gonna have to kill us.” Pope must not have been talking about the Alabama Crimson Tide.
As happened earlier this season, Kentucky fans hit the exit aisles early on Friday night. The Big Blue Nation must be weary of insurmountable Alabama leads. Nate Oats has coached 10 Alabama basketball games against the Wildcats. Friday night’s third win in a row took his Alabama coaching record against Kentucky to 6-4. The Alabama win also marked the first time Alabama has ever beaten Kentucky three times in a season.
An injury-depleted Kentucky roster had no real chance against Alabama. Anyone needing proof of Nate Oats’ coaching superiority should look at Friday night’s first-half box score. Alabama was 2-for-13 from three and scored 45 points anyway, leading Kentucky at the break, 45-38. The Tide’s threes started connecting in the second half and the game became a blowout. Fortunately for both teams, no lives were lost.
Alabama Crimson Tide led by freshman
Five Alabama players scored in double figures, led by Labaron Philon with 21 points. The Crimson Tide freshman star also had three rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block. In 26 minutes of play, Philon had one turnover. In the post-game, Nate Oats said Jarin Stevenson had his best game of the season. The sophomore scored 16 points, with four rebounds, three steals, and a block, in just 17 minutes of action. Mo Diouabte was again the Crimson Tide Hard Hat winner.
Alabama played improved defense against Kentucky. It will take that and more to beat Florida in the semi-final. The Gators have won 11 of their last 12 games. Some college basketball experts tout Florida as the SEC’s best team.
Note: Game stats provided by ESPN
