"We've got a special team, and we know it": Nate Oats shows excitement as Alabama eyes national championship title in 2024 season

After making it to the program's first final four, Nate Oats believes his roster is ready to lift the NCAA title. On the Crimson Tide Sports Network's "Hey Coach" show, Oats reflected on the elements he believes would make for a special 2024 season.

Oats said that Alabama's current roster might be the most complete and the deepest unit ever forged since he gripped the ropes in 2019.

"We've got a special team, and we know it," Oats said. "We've got the returners like (Latrell Wrightsell), who's been great, that are back.

"We've added some really good transfers in to help that got experience. Then we got some super-talented freshmen. They've all got great attitudes. They've all been working their tails off," he added.

Alabama’s 2024 talent class sits as the second-best group of high school players in the nation. Nate Oats brought in three four-star freshmen - Naas Cunningham, Aiden Sherrell and Labaron Philon alongside five-star Derrion Reid.

Aden Holloway (Auburn), Cliff Omoruyi (Rutgers), Chris Youngblood (South Florida) and Houston Mallette (Pepperdine) came through the transfer portal, bringing significant experience in playing elite basketball.

---

The 2024 season is the best shot Nate Oats will have at the NCAA title

The most important piece to the Crimson Tide's championship chances is the returning star power this season.

Last season’s scoring leader Mark Sears (21.5 points per game), breakout big-man Grant Nelson (5.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game) and sharpshooter Latrell Wrightsell (44.7% from the 3-point line) will bring a veteran mindset to the unit.

All three stars return through an extra year of eligibility granted to them due to the COVID year, making the 2024 season Nate Oats' last run with his stars. While Wrightsell announced his return in April, Nelson and Sears came after dabbling in 2024 NBA draft waters.

Moreover, a significant chunk of success will also stem from stretch-four forward Jarin Stevenson and locker-room glue Mouhamed Dioubate, who will see increased roles in their sophomore season.

The Crimson Tide begin practice on Monday and showcase the first glimpse of its roster on Oct. 11 in an intrasquad scrimmage. They then play exhibition games against Wake Forest (Oct. 18) and Memphis (Oct. 28) before beginning their season on Nov. 4 against UNC Asheville.