Nate Oats sends out emphatic message after SEC win as Alabama maintains top spot in latest AP top 25 poll

Alabama coach Nate Oats and the Alabama Crimson Tide started off the 2024-2025 SEC games in dominant fashion on Saturday, Jan. 4. The team outpaced the Oklahoma Sooners, 107-79, to win their first conference matchup of the season and improve their overall record to 12-2.

Because of this victory, Alabama retains their fifth place ranking in the AP top 25 poll with its newest update in Week 10 being released earlier on Monday. The program reached the ranking in Week 8 and held its position ever since.

The Crimson Tide social media team then made a video edit summarizing highlights from the division triumph. Coach Oats reposted the grand reel with a caption on X that reads:

"Great win and even better crowd to start SEC play! #RollTide."

Fans of the team giving their support for the home team would soon follow, as the Alabama faithful are ecstatic with the way Oats has turned the program into a success ever since he took the reigns of the coaching staff back in 2019.

"Nate Oats has changed my life," one fan replied.

"Enjoyed it. Awesome game, Roll Tide," another said.

"Love watching your teams play!! So thankful you’re at Bama," a user posted.

Alabama finished last season with a 25-12 overall record and 13-5 in the SEC. They would eventually bow out of March Madness to eventual NCAA national champions UConn Huskies in the Final Four, 86-72, as they seek extract redemption this time around.

Oats and the Crimson Tide now look forward to their next conference fixture, which is against the South Carolina Gamecocks on Wednesday, Jan. 8, on the road.

Five players are averaging double digits this season for Nate Oats

Looking into the Crimson Tide players' individual stats, the way Alabama plays is built on a deep team production. Through 14 games played on the campaign, five players from Nate Oats' side are averaging double digits in points.

The scoring is led by fifth-year guard Mark Sears who averages 18.3 points followed by swingman Grant Nelson's and freshman Labaron Philon's 13.1 and 12.6 markers, respectievely. Rounding out the offensive fray are senior Latrell Wrightsell Jr, who puts in 11.5 points per game, and sophomore Aden Holloway with 10.4 of his own.