Nate Oats comments on 4th straight Sweet 16 berth: ‘Don’t take it for granted’
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Only 3 teams in college basketball have reached the Sweet 16 across each of the past 4 seasons: Houston, Tennessee and Alabama.
The Crimson Tide advanced to the second weekend once again with a win over Texas Tech on Sunday, which means Nate Oats’ crew is set to face off against Michigan for a shot at the Elite 8. On Monday, during Oats’ time speaking on ‘Hey Coach,’ he made sure to emphasize just how important it is not to take 4 straight Sweet 16s for granted.
“This is not easy to do. Please don’t take it for granted,” Oats said. “Let’s get everybody supporting this team any which way we can. We’re gonna give it everything we got. Michigan is not gonna be easy. We’ve been underdogs before in this game. We’ve come out with some big wins in the past. And we’ve lost some of these Sweet 16 games, too.”
Here’s more from Oats:
From a historical perspective at the University of Alabama, Oats is absolutely correct: No Tide fan should be taking Oats’ success with the Crimson Tide for granted. From a program perspective, Alabama basketball has never been as good as it is right now.
Previously, Alabama had never been to more than 3 Sweet 16s in a row, and the 1987 trip to the Sweet 16 that extended the 1985-1987 streak to 3 was vacated by the NCAA. This was the only other time the Crimson Tide advanced to the second weekend more than 2 seasons in a row until last season.
Alabama is going to need a monster effort to make it 3 straight Elite 8’s, though. Michigan is one of the best teams in basketball and is the heavy favorite entering Friday night’s matchup.
“I think our guys will be ready, and we’re gonna have to have an elite coaching performance, elite playing performance,” Oats concluded Monday. “But our guys are ready. Super excited to coach this game.”
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
