Tag: Nate Oats

Former Kentucky legend meets with Alabama basketball team ahead of Final Four

Nate Oats and the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team heard from a March Madness veteran who knows what it’s like to play in the Final Four.

Alabama basketball is heading into uncharted waters tonight as they will play in the program’s first-ever Final Four. The Crimson Tide beat the No. 1 seeded UNC Tar Heels in the Sweet 16 and the No. 6 Clemson Tigers in the Elite Eight here to earn a date with the No. 1 overall seed and defending national champion UConn Huskies. The Huskies have opened as an 11.5-point favorite with most experts predicting a blowout in favor of Dan Hurley’s squad, but this Alabama team seems relaxed.

Superstar for the Phoenix Suns and former Kentucky G Devin Booker stopped by to speak with the Tide in Phoenix this week. Booker was on the 38-0 Kentucky team that was widely regarded as one of the best teams ever before their shocking upset to Wisconsin in the Final Four. So, Booker knows better than anyone that anything can happen on this stage regardless of the David vs. Goliath story. Booker has gone on to be a First-Team All-Pro and 4x All-Star.

On top of sharing some words of encouragement for Nate Oats’s squad, Booker was kind enough to drop off some signature shoes for the ‘Bama players. Regardless of how the game goes, this has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the players and fans alike.

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Top images from Alabama basketball’s Final Four prep in Phoenix

See how Alabama has been preparing for the Final Four of March Madness while in Phoenix through this photo gallery.

The Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball team will take on the top overall team in the Final Four of March Madness, the UConn Huskies, with a chance to play for a national championship on the line.

Nate Oats and his team, consisting of standout players like [autotag]Mark Sears[/autotag], [autotag]Grant Nelson[/autotag], [autotag]Nick Pringle[/autotag], [autotag]Jarin Stevenson[/autotag] and [autotag]Nick Pringle[/autotag], have been in Phoenix since Tuesday and are still preparing for what is going to be the most important game in Crimson Tide basketball history.

UConn ended up landing in Phoenix in the early hours of Thursday morning after a handful of logistics issues delayed the Huskies’ flight.

The two teams will meet on the court at State Farm Arena at 8:49 p.m. ET.

Top photos from Alabama’s Final Four prep

Will Latrell Wrightsell play against UConn in the Final Four?

The latest on Alabama’s Latrell Wrightsell

The Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball team has made an incredible, historic run in March Madness on its way to the program’s first-ever Final Four appearance.

Much of Alabama’s run has come without the help of sharp-shooting guard, Latrell Wrightsell Jr., who had been battling a head injury that he sustained in the second half of the round of 32 matchup against Grand Canyon.

On Thursday in Phoenix, the players and coaches were made available to the media and Wrightsell was asked about his availability for the Tide’s semifinal matchup against the defending national champions, the UConn Huskies.

“Yeah, I’ll be able to play”, Wrightsell told Nick Kelly of the Tuscaloosa News.

While nothing from Nate Oats or any other staff members has made it official, it appears Wrightsell is back healthy and should be available against the Huskies.

Alabama will need all the help it can get against a Dan Hurley-led UConn team that has steamrolled the competition in the NCAA Tournament.

How to watch Alabama basketball vs. UConn in Final Four

The Final Four matchup between Alabama and UConn is set to tip off around 7:49 p.m. CT on Saturday, April 6 on TBS/TNT/truTV which immediately follows the other semifinal matchup between Purdue and NC State.

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The irony of where Alabama basketball is preparing for the Final Four

Alabama basketball is gearing up to take on UConn in the Final Four of March Madness in a gym that you wouldn’t believe.

Alabama Crimson Tide basketball won the West Region as the No. 4 seed and is now preparing to take on the top-seeded UConn Huskies in the Final Four. This unprecedented March Madness run by the program is not over yet, as head coach [autotag]Nate Oats[/autotag] and his team look to advance to the national championship game.

Though UConn arrived in Phoenix, the site of the Final Four, very early Thursday morning, the Crimson Tide has been there since Tuesday, preparing for the biggest game in the program’s history.

A series of photos shared to social media by the Alabama men’s basketball account shows the team, and its many stars like [autotag]Mark Sears[/autotag], [autotag]Grant Nelson[/autotag], [autotag]Nick Pringle[/autotag], [autotag]Jarin Stevenson[/autotag] and others, at their temporary practice facility.

The irony of it all is that the Crimson Tide is practicing at the home of Grand Canyon University, the team Alabama defeated in the round of 32 of this year’s tournament.

In response, the Grand Canyon men’s basketball account quoted to post and said “Just lock up when you’re done.”

Alabama defeated Grand Canyon in a physical battle that resulted in a low-scoring thriller that ended with a final score of 72-61.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama basketball as the team gets ready to face the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of March Madness.

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Alabama assistant Ryan Pannone emerging as a finalist for Fresno State HC job

Fresno State basketball zeroing in on Alabama assistant Ryan Pannone as next head coach

After just one season with the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball program, assistant coach Ryan Pannone appears as if he may be on the move again as he has been tabbed as a finalist for the Fresno State head coaching vacancy, according to Mike Rodak of 247Sports. With the March Madness tournament still going on and the team preparing for the Final Four, I doubt we hear an announcement from either side soon but it appears as if he is their top target.

Pannone spent the first part of his career bouncing around overseas as an assistant before getting his first big break with the New Orleans Pelicans. After less than a year there, Pannone took one look at Tuscaloosa and saw all of the opportunities that [autotag]Nate Oats[/autotag] assistants were getting and decided to follow that path.

Despite probably not being the most talented roster Alabama has ever had, it is their first-ever team to make a Final Four appearance. A large part of that success can be attributed to Oats as well as his entire coaching staff.

At only 39 years of age, Pannone is a hot young name in the coaching world and is the exact type of energy that is needed in this new name, image, likeness and transfer portal era. Especially when reviving a program like Fresno State that finished 12-21 a season ago.

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Photos show Crimson Tide fans sending off Alabama basketball to Final Four

Photos show Alabama fans sending off the basketball team to the Final Four

On Tuesday afternoon, [autotag]Nate Oats[/autotag] and the Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball team packed their bags and got set to head off to Phoenix to compete in the Final Four.

Coach Oats and the Tide have quite the challenge lying ahead of them taking on the defending national champs, the UConn Huskies who appear to be nearly unbeatable as they make their way through March Madness.

As the basketball team began to make their way to the jet, the Crimson Tide faithful made sure to show up and show their support for this historic Alabama team.

Here are the top photos of Alabama fans sending off the Crimson Tide to the Final Four.

Nate Oats provides injury update on Latrell Wrightsell ahead of Final Four

Will Alabama get its sharp-shooting guard back for the Final Four?

On Tuesday, [autotag]Nate Oats[/autotag] and the Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball team left Tuscaloosa to head back west to Phoenix to finish preparing for their Final Four matchup with the UConn Huskies.

Before the team loaded up on the jet, Coach Oats would take time to speak with the media and discuss the upcoming matchup with the infallible Huskies but would also provide the latest on injured senior, sharp-shooting guard, Latrell Wrightsell.

While nothing is set in stone just yet and anything can happen, it does appear that Wrightsell is trending towards being available for the Crimson Tide’s first-ever Final Four appearance.

“Today was the first day Wrightsell was able to practice. He was limited in what he could do, but glad he was out there. He’s got day-to-day evaluations. Based on how tomorrow morning’s evaluation goes, we’ll see where he goes the rest of the week. Our hope is that he’s gonna be able to play on Saturday, though.”

Wrightsell’s availability against UConn is critical if the Crimson Tide want to try and pull off the upset. Having him back in the lineup would allow Alabama to have better spacing on offense and bring the Huskies’ shot-blocking center, Donovan Clingan away from the basket.

How can I watch Alabama basketball vs. UConn?

The Final Four matchup between Alabama and UConn is set to tip off around 7:49 p.m. CT on Saturday, April 6 on TBS/TNT/truTV and will immediately follow the other semifinal matchup between Purdue and NC State.

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Nate Oats reveals a motivating factor for reaching the Final Four

Nate Oats didn’t like the fact that the other in-state school had the only Final Four appearance in the state

[autotag]Nate Oats[/autotag] has led the Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball team to a historic season as the Tide have reached the Final Four for the first time in program history.

For Oats and the Tide, the run in March Madness has been incredible considering how Alabama finished out the regular and the SEC Tournament, losing four out of their last six games.

On Monday night during his weekly in-season radio program “Hey Coach”, Coach Oats revealed at least one of the motivating factors behind Alabama’s improbable run and it is something that Crimson Tide fans are certain to appreciate and respect.

Watch as Coach Oats explains:

Alabama will now have the daunting task of competing with the defending national champs, the UConn Huskies in the semifinal matchup.

How to watch Alabama basketball vs. UConn in the Final Four?

On Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 7:49 p.m. CT on TBS/TNT/truTV, the Crimson Tide and Huskies will get things underway in Phoenix.

The winner will move on to play the winner of the other semifinal matchup between No. 1 Purdue and No. 11 NC State for a national championship.

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What’s the statistical chance Alabama beats UCONN in the Final Four?

Alabama basketball has made it all the way to the Final Four in March Madness, but what chance does the Crimson Tide have in defeating the Huskies?

Alabama Crimson Tide basketball has made it to the Final Four, the first in the program’s history. This March Madness run has been memorable for head coach Nate Oats and his team, but they now face the tough task of taking on the UCONN Huskies with a trip to the national championship on the line in Phoenix.

Star players for Alabama like [autotag]Mark Sears[/autotag], [autotag]Grant Nelson[/autotag], [autotag]Nick Pringle[/autotag] and even [autotag]Jarin Stevenson[/autotag] have played huge roles in getting this team this far in the tournament. UCONN, a No. 1 seed, has been a juggernaut and looks practically unbeatable.

ESPN’s advanced analytics broke down the chance each team has to win this game. In short, it does not look good for the Tide.

The Huskies have a 71.6% chance of advancing past the Final Four, which gives Alabama only a 28.4% chance of keeping its national championship hopes alive.

Alabama recently received some good news from guard Latrell Wrightsell, who has been out since the round of 32 with a head injury. He told reporters that he plans on returning and playing against UCONN.

When will Alabama Basketball and UCONN tip off in the Final Four?

On Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 8:49 p.m. ET, the Crimson Tide and Huskies will get things underway in Phoenix.

The winner of this matchup will go on to face the winner of No. 1 Purdue Boilermakers and No. 4 NC State Wolfpack for a national title.

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Alabama’s Latrell Wrightsell shares March Madness injury update for Final Four

Alabama guard Latrell Wrightsell has been out of the lineup with a head injury for two March Madness games. Now, there’s an update ahead of the Final Four.

Alabama Crimson Tide basketball guard Latrell Wrightsell has been a key contributor for the team’s offense but has missed a few March Madness games due to an injury suffered in the round of 32. Now, there’s a Final Four injury update.

Despite missing games against the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Clemson Tigers, Alabama was able to get by and earn a few wins, but his absence was felt.

After the Elite Eight win that sent the Crimson Tide to its first Final Four in program history, Wrightsell told Blake Byler of Bama Central that he plans on being back for the biggest game in Alabama basketball history against the No. 1 seed UCONN Huskies.

The Crimson Tide is the underdog heading into the Final Four matchup, but they can see it competitive and have a chance at winning if its top contributors are healthy and performing at a high level. Mark Sears, Grant Nelson, Jarin Stevenson and Nick Pringle are difference-makers. Possibly having Wrightsell back would be a huge addition for Nate Oats and his team.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM.