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Nate Oats updates Charles Bediako’s injury status, potential availability vs. Tennessee
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Nate Oats and Alabama basketball are No. 1 for the first time since the 2002-2003 season, but staying there is not going to be a walk in the park. The Crimson Tide travel to Knoxville to take on No. 10 Tennessee Wednesday looking to exact some revenge for football season.
And Alabama is playing considerably better basketball than Tennessee right now, but it’s tough to overlook the Vols’ tough defense and the obvious home-court advantage that Thompson-Boling Arena provides. Still, Mizzou and Kentucky have both knocked off the Vols at home, so it’s far from an impossible feat.
But the going does get tougher if the Crimson Tide are not at full strength. According to Oats Tuesday, Charles Bediako, the team’s starting center, is currently day-to-day with a “minor knee injury” he suffered against Auburn.
Nate Oats on Charles Bediako: “He did have a minor knee injury in the Auburn game. He played through it. He’s day-to-day. He’s gotten better every day since the Auburn game.”
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) February 14, 2023
Oats also said that, as is usual, Noah Gurley will be an option to fill Bediako’s potential starting minutes should he be held out of Wednesday’s game.
Bediako does a lot for Alabama in the paint. He’s a 61% shooter from the field at 7-feet tall and is one of the best shot-blockers in the SEC. On top of that, he’s a good rebounder for the Tide, averaging just under 6 rebounds per game.
Wednesday night has the makings of an SEC classic. The game is set for 7 p.m. EST on ESPN2.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
