Nate Oats says Ole Miss ‘wake-up call’ helped Alabama, Texas reach Sweet 16
By Luke Greco
Published:
Alabama head coach Nate Oats was asked about making it to the Sweet 16 and credited Ole Miss for knocking them off in the SEC Tournament, saying it was a “wake-up call” for them.
Ole Miss headed into the SEC Tournament as a 15-seed with only one chance left to keep its season alive, winning the conference tournament. The Rebels knocked off Texas in the first round, Georgia in the second round, and beat Alabama by 1 to advance to the semifinals.
The Rebels’ dream would come to an end there after losing to Arkansas by 3, but the impact of their run is still being felt.
Oats credited Ole Miss for both Texas’s and Alabama’s runs to the Sweet 16.
“Ole Miss woke two teams up. Got them — so thank you to Coach Beard and company — us and Texas both got a wake-up call at the SEC Tournament,” Oats said after Sunday’s win in the Round of 32.
Since its loss to Ole Miss, Alabama has beaten both its tournament opponents by an average score of 22.5 points. Sunday night, they dismantled Texas Tech, taking down the 5-seeded Red Raiders 90-65.
Alabama will now face its toughest test yet in the NCAA Tournament as the Tide take on 1-seed Michigan for a trip to the Elite Eight.
Can Alabama make it to the Final Four? Kalshi is taking action on predictions!
