When Alabama basketball head coach Nate Oats decided to bench Mark Sears during the second half of the game against LSU, it sent a clear message: no player, not even a star, is immune to consequences for poor defensive play. This move resonated throughout the team, prompting a shift in mindset.
In the practices that followed, Sears transformed his initial disappointment into determination, emerging as a dedicated and enthusiastic defender. This response not only indicated Sears understood Oats’ message but also inspired his teammates to elevate their defensive game.
Oats is not just aiming for a couple of SEC championships this season; he has his sights set on reaching the NCAA Tournament Final Four and achieving a better outcome than last year’s. Although Alabama had an impressive performance against UConn, they fell short by 14 points. Despite shooting 47.8% from beyond the arc, 81.8% from the foul line, and committing just eight turnovers, UConn’s superior field goal percentage, rebounding, and minimal turnovers highlighted their dominance.
Acknowledging UConn as the best team last season, Oats recognizes that defense was Alabama’s Achilles’ heel. The team ranked No. 111 in Ken Pomeroy’s Adjusted Defensive Efficiency Rating (DRtg) among Division 1 teams last season. This season, after 20 games, Alabama has improved to No. 43, but history shows that to become a national champion, a team needs to rank much higher in defensive efficiency.
Analyzing data from the past 15 NCAA Tournament Champions reveals that the average DRtg among these teams was No. 10. Only three champions had a defensive rating worse than No. 15, with Baylor winning in 2021 at No. 22. Last season, UConn’s defensive rating was No. 4, coupled with an Offensive Efficiency Rating of No. 1, while Alabama ranked No. 2 in offensive efficiency.
Oats is determined to ensure that defense does not hinder Alabama’s success this season. By emphasizing defensive improvement and maintaining high offensive efficiency, he aims to guide the Crimson Tide to new heights.
