🏀 Oats Gives Hint As To Starting Tide Basketball Lineup - 247Sports

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Oats Gives Hint As To Starting Tide Basketball Lineup

The Nate Oats system of fast-paced basketball appeals to prospects

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Want to know Alabama's starting lineup as the Crimson Tide basketball season approaches?

Bama Coach Nate Oats didn’t really announce it Wednesday at Southeastern Conference Basketball Media Days in Birmingham, but he certainly gave a hint. And it probably isn’t a surprise.

In part of an answer to a question about a previous lack of consistency by John Petty, Oats said, “You look at Herb (Jones), Kira (Lewis), (Alex) Reese, and Petty, we’ve got some really talented offensive players and we’ve also got some pretty talented pieces to go with them.”

Moments later, in answer to a question about Galin Smith, Oats was complimentary of his effort and consistency, and said, “He’s going to be a big part of what we do, probably starting five to be honest with you if things continue to progress like they are.”

Oats also addressed what he won’t have and what he may or may not have.

Insofar as transfer guard Jahvon Quinerly, Oats said there still has been no determination from the NCAA on whetheer Quinerly will receive a waiver to be eligible this season, but said he hopes the decision comes soon since there is an exhibition game against Georgia Tech Oct. 27 (Sunday following Bama homecoming) and the opening game is Nov. 5 against Penn. Alabama also has a so-called secret scrimmage against Jacksonville State, a team that beat last year’s Tide convincingly in the same situation.

The loss of two players to season-ending injuries, Juwan Gary and James Rojas, hit hard because they play the same position (4).

“Reese can really shoot,” Oats said. “He’s been shooting the ball really well, peaking at the right time. He will play at the 4 and the 5 both. At 5 he can really shoot and spread the floor out. At 4 he can shoot and can also post up. He’s got his body in much better shape so he can run the floor, play at the pace we want to play.”

Oats said that could mean that either Jones (“He’s small, but tough) or even Petty could see time at the position.

“We’re either going to have to play two bigs, which I really don’t want to do, or we can be a little smaller, which is fine.”

On the subject of Herb Jones as an offensive player, Oats said, “Defensively, he’s one of the best I’ve ever coached. He’s one of the best in the country. Offensively, he’s getting better. The only thing he struggles with is shooting. He can play the point for us; he can pass, dribble as well as anyone, pick and roll. Has high IQ. He’s really skilled.

“We’re working on his shot. If he can get his shot, I think he’ll be a long-time NBA player.”

Regarding star guard Kira Lewis, he said, “He’s putting some weight on. Whether he’s playing in the NBA after this year or after the next year – there were a couple of scouts watching him today – we’re trying to get him there and he’s trying to get there. He’s got to get a little stronger, a little better on defense.

“He was one of our biggest recruits, getting him to come out of the Transfer Portal.

“I think he’s good enough. If he goes out after this year. We’re trying to help him. If he goes in the first round, that means he’s had a great year and we’re all better for it. He’s really, really talented on offense.”

About the aforementioned question regarding the consistency of Petty, Oats said, “Were you at Tennessee?” referring to Petty’s 30-point performance against the third-ranked Vols last year. He said he meets regularly with the four juniors who returned to the team (the only senior is transfer guard Beetle Bolden) about leadership and consistency.

“How was a team that was able to beat Kentucky in the first (SEC) game, why didn’t they finish better in the season?

“You have to have consistency in practice to have consistency in games.

“Step on the floor, give max effort. Control the things you can control. You can’t control the ball going in the basket, but you can control things like effort, things like rebounding.”

He said the message to Petty is to take good shots, that his misses aren’t good shots.

“He’s ultra, ultra talented.”

On the subject of him being a surprise hire by Alabama, Oats said, “Six years ago I was in high school, won the state championship in 2013. I was probably a surprise hire at Buffalo, only two years an assistant, and it worked out pretty well.

“Surprise, maybe, because I lived up North my whole life and now I’m down South in Alabama, but what we did the last four years wasn’t easy at Buffalo where they had never made the tournament before.

“Basketball is basketball.

“We’re coaching a style that kids want to play now, getting up and down. A lot of kids now, athletes down here in the South and in Alabama, could be really good playing up-tempo the way we play.

“We’ve got to win games, obviously. We did that at Buffalo and I think we can do that here.

“I’m looking forward to it. I haven’t lost a game here at Alabama, so we’ll see if they are as excited in March as they are now. I think our guys are progressing, getting better.

“I think we’ll surprise a few people.”