The No. 16 Alabama Crimson Tide fell 99-81 to rival Auburn on Wednesday night, perhaps jeopardizing their SEC title ambitions.
To some, however, the game represented more than just a tough loss. Alabama’s reliance on three-pointers and layups highlights a potential weakness in their analytics-based strategy.
First, consider the game itself. The Tide kept the game close until four minutes left in the first half, but the No. 12 Tigers responded and maintained a double-digit lead for the rest of the game.
Most troubling was Auburn’s frontcourt dominance, led by center Johni Broome and power forward Jaylin Williams, who combined for 50 points.
Alabama, on the other hand, is a perimeter shooting team that opted for a smaller roster. Though the Tide later substituted larger players, they were no match for Auburn’s frontcourt.This has prompted some to advocate for improvements.
Chase Goodbread of the Tuscaloosa News published an open letter to Oats about adding a strong power forward to the squad, describing him as “a glass-eating machine who would fit perfectly in that yesteryear style of college ball that your analytics have little appreciation for.”
Such a guy isn’t have to start or even score, but he’d be useful if the Tide is being “bullied by a team that imposed its physical will,” Goodbread added.
“I am talking muscle. “Slender forwards can’t spread their feet in the paint and command space like heavyweights can,” he said.
So yet, no one on the Alabama roster has claimed that responsibility. Guard Mark Sears led the squad with nine rebounds against Auburn, while forward Nick Pringle, who was suspended twice, had seven and forward Grant Nelson had six.
Pringle and Nelson are both “slender forwards,” according to Goodbread, weighing in at around 230 pounds and standing nearly seven feet tall.
Charles Bediako, a recent player whom Oats described as an exceptional rim protector, weighed only 220 pounds. That falls far short of Goodbread’s requirement of “260 pounds or more”.
The letter has sparked debate among fans, with former player Bryan Passink stating on Thursday that he will defer to the accomplished Oats on the subject, rather than Goodbread.
Nate Oats currently has Alabama tied for 1st in the SEC again, trying to win a 3rd league title in 4 years & now I see he’s getting recruiting advice from a football beat writer? Lol
— Bryan Passink (@BryanPassink) February 8, 2024
Passink makes a reasonable point, but here’s another. In Oats’ two SEC championship seasons at Alabama, neither team has advanced beyond the Sweet Sixteen.
Both seasons were successful, but they fell short of expectations. Perhaps a strong enforcer is the key to unlocking the rest of the team’s capabilities.
