Following Alabama’s 80-66 victory over Saint Mary’s, securing the Crimson Tide’s third consecutive Sweet 16 appearance, head coach Nate Oats praised his team’s resilience and leadership. He emphasized that facing a formidable opponent like Saint Mary’s required exceptional toughness, stating, “We said the tougher team is going to win this one, and that’s one of the tougher teams in the country. Our guys really stepped up and met the challenge tonight.”
Oats highlighted the balanced offensive performance, with six players scoring between 10 and 13 points. Chris Youngblood led with 13 points, while Clifford Omoruyi recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Mark Sears, Grant Nelson, Aden Holloway, and Mouhamed Dioubate also contributed significantly, each adding double-digit points.
The coach acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly in ball security, noting that Saint Mary’s had zero turnovers in the first half. However, Alabama’s defensive adjustments led to six turnovers by Saint Mary’s in the second half, which Oats deemed “big, helpful.”
Reflecting on the team’s preparation, Oats mentioned that players were shown a “lowlight reel” of commentators and reporters labeling them as soft before the game. This strategy aimed to motivate the team to demonstrate their resilience and dispel any doubts about their toughness.
Oats also commended the team’s offensive efficiency, as Alabama became the first team in 105 games to score 80 points against Saint Mary’s. The Crimson Tide dominated the paint with a 42-30 advantage and outrebounded the Gaels 41-36. Alabama maintained control throughout the game, leading for all but 30 seconds and never allowing Saint Mary’s to come within seven points in the second half.
Looking ahead, Oats expressed confidence in his team’s ability to maintain their momentum, emphasizing the importance of toughness and leadership as they prepare for their upcoming Sweet 16 matchup agai
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