Gleeful Alabama coach Nate Oats ripped Charles Barkley’s take on his team being ‘frail’ after North Carolina upset

No, Alabama was not “frail” and Nate Oats let Charles Barkley know it.

Charles Barkley, as we know, is an Auburn alum, but he’s not shown any bias when it comes to talking about Alabama in 2024 March Madness.

He may want his recent comments about the Crimson Tide back after Alabama upset No. 1 seed North Carolina in the Sweet 16.

Earlier in the week, he said this, per AL.com: “They are a very frail team. They can’t handle North Carolina in the post. That’s a huge advantage for North Carolina, but Alabama is one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country.”

After Alabama won thanks to a huge game from Grant Nelson, head coach Nate Oats had this to say about Nelson right after the game: “Charles Barkley called us frail. I don’t think he was frail tonight.”

He then cited that in the locker room. WHEW:

WATCH: Armando Bacot misses dunk in March Madness loss to Alabama

North Carolina’s Sweet 16 upset at the hands of Alabama included a stunning gaffe from star center Armando Bacot in the closing minutes.

North Carolina center Armando Bacot has had some great NCAA Tournament moments.

The Tar Heels star helped lead UNC to the doorstep of a national title two years ago, defeating Duke in the Final Four and averaging 16.5 rebounds per game over the Cinderella run.

Thursday’s upset loss against Alabama in the Sweet 16 included one of his lowlights.

North Carolina led the Crimson Tide by eight points at halftime but couldn’t close the door, becoming the first No. 1 seed eliminated from this year’s edition of March Madness.

Teammate RJ Davis, North Carolina’s All-American guard, had his fair share of mistakes in a 4/20 shooting performance. Bacot’s biggest gaffe was a lot more visible, however.

With less than seven minutes left in the game, Bacot went up for a two-handed dunk that would have stretched UNC’s lead to five. Instead, he did this.

What makes the small moment even worse? North Carolina lost to the Crimson Tide by two points, a final score of 89-87.

Who is Grant Nelson? Meet Alabama’s March Madness star who exploded in the Sweet 16

Meet the newest March Madness star who transferred to Alabama this year.

Alabama isn’t in the Elite Eight — and perhaps beyond — by any fluke.

The No. 4 seed in 2024 March Madness has the talent to win a national title, and that includes big man Grant Nelson, who poured in 24 points to go with 12 rebounds and five blocks to upset No. 1 North Carolina in the Sweet 16.

So: who is Nelson? Good question!

He’s a North Dakota native, specifically from Devils Lake. He played for North Dakota State for three years, and the 6-foot-11, 230-pound junior decided to transfer to Alabama, perhaps with an eye on getting some attention in the NBA Draft — he had thrown his name in 2023 but ultimately withdrew to transfer.

North Carolina bounced by Alabama in the Sweet 16

North Carolina became the first No. 1 seed eliminated from the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night with an 89-87 loss to Alabama.

The North Carolina Tar Heels have been eliminated from the NCAA Tournament.

The top-seeded Tar Heels lost to No. 4 Alabama 89-87 in the Sweet 16 on Thursday evening.

The defeat made UNC the first No. 1 seed eliminated in March Madness this year, as all four top teams made it through opening weekend.

The Crimson Tide operate around an up-tempo, high-octane offense, but North Carolina managed to keep up through the first half. The Tar Heels took a 54-46 lead into the halftime break as different UNC players stepped up early.

However, the advantage continued to dwindle throughout the second half. Alabama’s Grant Nelson made a layup to cut the lead to three with 15 minutes left, and he buried two free throws half a minute later to pull within one. A 3-pointer from teammate Sam Walters gave the Tide the lead with 13:56 left on the clock.

North Carolina pulled ahead again, rattling off a quick 9-1 run to lead by six points with 8:46 left. Cormac Ryan, the fifth-year senior who haunted the Blue Devils in Durham earlier this month, buried a triple to make it a five-point game with 6:20 on the clock. It felt like Alabama couldn’t chew far enough into the lead, and the Tar Heels looked assured of a place in the Elite Eight.

But the Tide roared back again. Aaron Estrada made back-to-back baskets, one of them from behind the 3-point line, to knot the game at 75 points apiece. Nelson made a go-ahead layup with 4:24 to play, but his true dagger came late.

With less than a minute to play and UNC leading by a single point, Nelson fought through a foul for an and-one basket. The ensuing free throw game the Crimson Tide a two-point lead, and when North Carolina couldn’t score on its next possession, the finality set in.

UNC couldn’t survive its second-half offensive struggles. After scoring more than 50 points in the first 20 minutes, the Tar Heels managed just 33 points after the break. The team shot 25% from the floor in the second half, its worst 20-minute tournament performance in more than a decade, capitalized by this unfortunate sequence from center Armando Bacot.

RJ Davis, the All-American North Carolina guard, finished with 16 points on 4/20 shooting, and he missed all nine of his 3-point attempts. Star freshman guard Elliot Cadeau finished with eight points on 3/9 shooting, and Bacot put up 19 points and 12 rebounds in his final game.

Alabama advances to play Clemson, the region’s No. 6 seed, in the Elite Eight.

Clemson vs. Alabama NCAA Men’s Tournament Elite Eight tickets are surprisingly inexpensive

Want to watch No. 4 Alabama vs No. 6 Clemson in person? Elite 8 tickets for the West Regional in Los Angeles still remain for as little as $36.

The first Elite Eight matchup of the 2024 NCAA Men’s Tournament is set.

After an evening of upsets, the West Regional Final will feature No. 4 Alabama vs. No 6 Clemson on Saturday, March 30.

SHOP: Alabama vs. Clemson Elite Eight tickets

Alabama battled back to beat No. 1 North Carolina 89-87 in a thrilling back-and-forth game.

Clemson, who has been an underdog to start each NCAA Tournament game, continued its tremendous defensive run and pulled of another upset, this time in a 77-72 win against No. 2 Arizona.

While this has been a strong football rivalry for almost a decade, now these two basketball programs will battle with a berth in the Final Four on the line.

With the two favorites no longer apart of the action, Elite Eight tickets remain surprisingly affordable and as of publication can be found for just $36.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Alabama vs. Clemson Elite 8 tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/vwQEoJv”]

Clemson vs. Alabama NCAA Men’s Tournament Elite Eight tickets are surprisingly inexpensive

Want to watch No. 4 Alabama vs No. 6 Clemson in person? Elite 8 tickets for the West Regional in Los Angeles still remain for as little as $36.

The first Elite Eight matchup of the 2024 NCAA Men’s Tournament is set.

After an evening of upsets, the West Regional Final will feature No. 4 Alabama vs. No 6 Clemson on Saturday, March 30.

SHOP: Alabama vs. Clemson Elite Eight tickets

Alabama battled back to beat No. 1 North Carolina 89-87 in a thrilling back-and-forth game.

Clemson, who has been an underdog to start each NCAA Tournament game, continued its tremendous defensive run and pulled of another upset, this time in a 77-72 win against No. 2 Arizona.

While this has been a strong football rivalry for almost a decade, now these two basketball programs will battle with a berth in the Final Four on the line.

With the two favorites no longer apart of the action, Elite Eight tickets remain surprisingly affordable and as of publication can be found for just $36.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Alabama vs. Clemson Elite 8 tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/vwQEoJv”]

Clemson vs. Alabama NCAA Men’s Tournament Elite Eight tickets are surprisingly inexpensive

Want to watch No. 4 Alabama vs No. 6 Clemson in person? Elite 8 tickets for the West Regional in Los Angeles still remain for as little as $36.

The first Elite Eight matchup of the 2024 NCAA Men’s Tournament is set.

After an evening of upsets, the West Regional Final will feature No. 4 Alabama vs. No 6 Clemson on Saturday, March 30.

SHOP: Alabama vs. Clemson Elite Eight tickets

Alabama battled back to beat No. 1 North Carolina 89-87 in a thrilling back-and-forth game.

Clemson, who has been an underdog to start each NCAA Tournament game, continued its tremendous defensive run and pulled of another upset, this time in a 77-72 win against No. 2 Arizona.

While this has been a strong football rivalry for almost a decade, now these two basketball programs will battle with a berth in the Final Four on the line.

With the two favorites no longer apart of the action, Elite Eight tickets remain surprisingly affordable and as of publication can be found for just $36.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Alabama vs. Clemson Elite 8 tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/vwQEoJv”]

Clemson vs. Alabama NCAA Men’s Tournament Elite Eight tickets are surprisingly inexpensive

Want to watch No. 4 Alabama vs No. 6 Clemson in person? Elite 8 tickets for the West Regional in Los Angeles still remain for as little as $36.

The first Elite Eight matchup of the 2024 NCAA Men’s Tournament is set.

After an evening of upsets, the West Regional Final will feature No. 4 Alabama vs. No 6 Clemson on Saturday, March 30.

SHOP: Alabama vs. Clemson Elite Eight tickets

Alabama battled back to beat No. 1 North Carolina 89-87 in a thrilling back-and-forth game.

Clemson, who has been an underdog to start each NCAA Tournament game, continued its tremendous defensive run and pulled of another upset, this time in a 77-72 win against No. 2 Arizona.

While this has been a strong football rivalry for almost a decade, now these two basketball programs will battle with a berth in the Final Four on the line.

With the two favorites no longer apart of the action, Elite Eight tickets remain surprisingly affordable and as of publication can be found for just $36.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Alabama vs. Clemson Elite 8 tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/vwQEoJv”]

How to buy Sweet 16 and Elite 8 tickets in Los Angeles for 2024 NCAA Tournament West Regional

Want to watch March Madness and the Sweet 16/Elite 8 live in Los Angeles this weekend? Tickets are still available for as little as $113.

Only 16 teams remain in the 2024 NCAA Men’s Tournament, and four of them will be playing in Los Angeles this weekend.

This year, March Madness returns to L.A. as the Crypto.com Arena is set to host a weekend of Sweet 16 and Elite matchups that will eventually send one team onto Phoenix and the Final Four.

SHOP: L.A. Regional Sweet 16 tickets

Tickets to Los Angeles’ Sweet 16 action give access to both games and as of publication are still available for as little as $113.

No. 2 Arizona kicks off the Sweet 16 on Thursday when they take on No. 6 Clemson at 7:09 p.m. EDT.

That game will be immediately followed by No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 4 Alabama.

SHOP: UNC vs. Alabama and Arizona vs. Clemson tickets

If you want to catch all the action, weekend passes are still available for as little as $185.

The weekend passes include access to both of Thursday’s Sweet 16 games and Saturday’s Elite Eight showdown between the winners of Thursday night’s games.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop NCAA Tournament L.A. weekend passes” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/YLv5XQ2″]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop NCAA Tournament L.A. Sweet 16 tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/Rlye14d”]

How to buy Sweet 16 and Elite 8 tickets in Los Angeles for 2024 NCAA Tournament West Regional

Want to watch March Madness and the Sweet 16/Elite 8 live in Los Angeles this weekend? Tickets are still available for as little as $113.

Only 16 teams remain in the 2024 NCAA Men’s Tournament, and four of them will be playing in Los Angeles this weekend.

This year, March Madness returns to L.A. as the Crypto.com Arena is set to host a weekend of Sweet 16 and Elite matchups that will eventually send one team onto Phoenix and the Final Four.

SHOP: L.A. Regional Sweet 16 tickets

Tickets to Los Angeles’ Sweet 16 action give access to both games and as of publication are still available for as little as $113.

No. 2 Arizona kicks off the Sweet 16 on Thursday when they take on No. 6 Clemson at 7:09 p.m. EDT.

That game will be immediately followed by No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 4 Alabama.

SHOP: UNC vs. Alabama and Arizona vs. Clemson tickets

If you want to catch all the action, weekend passes are still available for as little as $185.

The weekend passes include access to both of Thursday’s Sweet 16 games and Saturday’s Elite Eight showdown between the winners of Thursday night’s games.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop NCAA Tournament L.A. weekend passes” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/YLv5XQ2″]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop NCAA Tournament L.A. Sweet 16 tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/Rlye14d”]