🏀 🏀 2025-26 Bama Basketball Off-season News and Updates: THURS Press Conference with Nate Oats

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Not gonna get any cheaper unfortunately but we also need bigger donations for a new arena. I'm definitely ready for a new arena. Last game I went to was Memphis at home in '23 and god it's just a bad place to watch basketball.

Pre-practice facility upgrade, they came pretty close to having a deal done for a new arena, but it involved partnering with the city (or possibly a private company) and giving up full control of it (with UA only controlling a certain amount of dates each year, similar to what Texas does with theirs). It was decided it was best to back off that route and just wait for full funding (which I completely agree with). I agree though that it is needed, and for the sooner the better (mostly for the fans).

 

[Bammerboy321]

Pre-practice facility upgrade, they came pretty close to having a deal done for a new arena, but it involved partnering with the city (or possibly a private company) and giving up full control of it (with UA only controlling a certain amount of dates each year, similar to what Texas does with theirs). It was decided it was best to back off that route and just wait for full funding (which I completely agree with). I agree though that it is needed, and for the sooner the better (mostly for the fans).

I would definitely agree - it has to be on campus and in UA control. I'm however not opposed to a corporate partnership for the naming rights (similar to UK calling their football stadium Kroger Field). I doubt UA has the same mentality though.

 

[Bammerboy321]

Holloway with that signature step back 3.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I would definitely agree - it has to be on campus and in UA control. I'm however not opposed to a corporate partnership for the naming rights (similar to UK calling their football stadium Kroger Field). I doubt UA has the same mentality though.

They are certainly open to it. If the price is right.

 

[Bammerboy321]

They are certainly open to it. If the price is right.

That's refreshing to read that Byrne is exploring that option. Feel like for too long, the athletic department had a very close-minded perspective on how things should be ran.

If I remember, the idea of a new arena or renovation was floated around in 2009ish after auburn announced they would be constructing a new home. Mal Moore shut it down immediately due to the cost and BDS going through a renovation. Hindsight now, but I can imagine if he were alive, he would regret not doing it. I can also imagine Byrne is pretty pissed how Bill Battle squandered that Nike deal (which I'm still waiting to see a new contract because it was supposed to end this summer).

 

[Bammerboy321]

Holloway played 21 minutes, finishing 2-7 from the floor, 1-2 from 3, and with 8 points. He did had four assists, which is a good sign. He's still got that quick first step that is just so awesome to see as a ball handler. He and Philon are gonna be so fun to watch.

Defensively, didn't see any improvement from last season unfortunately. Then again, it's summer ball, so a lot weren't even playing hard. I just know Oats is going to have an even shorter leash than last season when it comes to defensive effort.

 

[RTB X Bot]

 

[RTB X Bot]

 

[RTB X Bot]

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

 

[Bammerboy321]

Oats this off-season: "we kind of want to have a lighter nonconference schedule"

Also Oats:

View attachment 31672

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Years are getting shorter and shorter the older I get... Seems like they were just on their annual retreat like 5 months ago.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

 

[Bammerboy321]

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Day Two of the Retreat

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Not sure why the link won’t work.

 

[TerryP]

Not sure why the link won’t work.

Bet ya it's set on private.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Bet ya it's set on private.

View attachment 31759

I think it may have something to do with how Twitter labeled it. Something said adult content or some such and the user can only view it while logged in.

 

[TerryP]

I think it may have something to do with how Twitter labeled it. Something said adult content or some such and the user can only view it while logged in.

I know it is/was on their end. When I saw your post last night about the link not working I spent a few minutes checking everything on our end. That post wouldn't embed using HTML.

Definitely blocked ... tried it again a few minutes ago.

 

[Bammerboy321]

Definitely ready for the season to get here. Wild the coaching differences between Oats and DeBoer. Apples and oranges of course, due to their different approaches to how they coach and the game. But it is wild to see a man like Oats not scared to bench star players (John Petty, JQ, Sears) if he thinks effort is an issue, while DeBoer has a similar approach that Avery did.