Despite feeling "disgusted" against Vanderbilt, Nate Oats content with Alabama's 103-87 victory

Coach Nate Oats had mixed feelings about Alabama's 103-87 win over Vanderbilt on Tuesday. It was the program's second consecutive win after losing the first conference game to Ole Miss on Jan. 14. The Crimson Tide posted 48 first-half points to secure a 17-point lead at the break.

However, it was outscored 56-55 by the Commodores in the second half, which became the cause for Oats' frustrations.

"I was disgusted with the second-half defense, to be honest with you," Oats said post-game. "But I thought we came out of the game with a way better attitude, playing hard."

"You give it like 'A-' in the first half, and then they failed the second half," he added. So, what do you average out a failing grade and an 'A-' and you come up with a 'C,' I guess."

Nate Oats continued to showcase his disappointment from the second half, noting that his players held Vanderbilt to just 0.82 points per possession in the first half, which elevated to 1.3 points per possession after the break.

Nate Oats' team has allowed multiple teams to score 50 second-half points

It was not the first time Alabama gave up 50 or more points in the latter half this season. It happened against the No. 12 Sooners in the conference opener on Jan. 4 and the previous game against No. 8 Kentucky.

Like the unranked Vanderbilt, the North Dakota Fighting Hawks also torched the Nate Oats' squad with 50+ second-half points in a 97-90 loss on Dec. 18, 2024.

While the team has managed to win these contests, the instance is occurring more frequently. The recurring theme can be easily punished in the NCAA tournament or be exposed by an opportunistic opponent in the conference play.

These late-game defensive lapses have cost the Crimson Tide all of its three losses so far. Not only did the team's efficiency go down after the break against Purdue, Oregon and Ole Miss, but it also failed to hold off the opposition's scoring surge.

Alabama (16-3, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) will now face the LSU Tigers (12-6, 1-4 SEC) before traveling to play the No. 14 Mississippi State (15-4, 3-3 conference) on Jan. 29.