Alex Reese
FILE - In this March 22, 2021, file photo, Alabama head coach Nate Oats directs his players during the second half against Maryland in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Shackelford, Quinerly lead reigning SEC champ No. 14 Alabama

By John Zenor Oct. 21, 2021 11:18 AM EDT
While Alabama must replace the Southeastern Conference player of the year and

Alabama players hug after losing to UCLA 88-86 in overtime in a Sweet 16 game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oats salutes Tide rather than lament missed free throws

By Eric Olson Mar. 28, 2021 11:36 PM EDT
All those missed free throws, an inability to play at its preferred pace and a

Alabama forward Alex Reese (3) reacts to a play against UCLA in the first half of a Sweet 16 game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
No. 11 UCLA beats 'Bama 88-78 in OT to reach Elite Eight

By Dave Skretta Mar. 28, 2021 10:04 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Jaime Jaquez Jr. remembers the moment Mick Cronin

Purdue's Trevion Williams (50) reacts with Jaden Ivey (23) after a dunk during the second half of a first-round game against North Texas in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium, Friday, March 19, 2021, in Indianapolis. Williams was fouled on the play. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Syracuse Orange at West Virginia Mountaineers 3/21/2021

Mar. 19, 2021 10:26 PM EDT

Alabama head coach Nate Oats waves to fans after cutting down the net after the championship game of the NCAA college basketball Southeastern Conference Tournament against LSU Sunday, March 14, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Alabama won 80-79. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Coach Oats, No. 5 Alabama put pedal to metal in rapid rise

By John Zenor Mar. 15, 2021 03:59 PM EDT
Nate Oats didn’t just speed up Alabama’s playing style by urging his players to

Alabama guard Jaden Shackelford dribbles during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Auburn on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Shackelford, No. 8 Alabama hold off rival Auburn, 70-58

By John Zenor Mar. 02, 2021 09:15 PM EST
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama dispatched its chief rival again, cut down the

Mississippi State guard Deivon Smith (5) shoots past a block attempt by Alabama guard John Petty Jr. (23) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Role reversal: No. 8 Bama thrives like recent Auburn teams

By John Zenor Mar. 01, 2021 03:54 PM EST
Alabama coach Nate Oats didn't inherit nearly the same kind of rebuilding task

Arkansas forward Connor Vanover (23) dunks the ball over Alabama Forward Juwan Gary (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Fayetteville, Ark. Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Alabama Crimson Tide at Arkansas Razorbacks 2/24/2021

Feb. 24, 2021 10:10 PM EST

Vanderbilt guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (2) works the perimeter against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Shackelford's 27 helps No. 8 Alabama hold off Vandy, 82-78

By John Zenor Feb. 20, 2021 03:30 PM EST
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama's frequently launched 3-pointers weren't

Georgia guard K.D. Johnson (0) draws a foul from Alabama guard Jahvon Quinerly (13) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Jones, No. 11 Alabama blow out Georgia, 115-82

By John Zenor Feb. 13, 2021 05:51 PM EST
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alex Reese opened Alabama's scoring with a 3-pointer

Missouri's Mitchell Smith, center, celebrates with teammates after they defeated Alabama 68-65 in an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
No. 18 Missouri holds off frantic rally, tops No. 10 Alabama

By Joe Walljasper Feb. 06, 2021 04:11 PM EST
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Way ahead, it looked as if No. 18 Missouri might beat 10th

Oklahoma's De'Vion Harmon (11) takes a shot against Alabama's Herbert Jones (1) as Oklahoma's Victor Iwuakor (0) looks on during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Garett Fisbeck)
Harmon scores 18; No. 24 Oklahoma tops No. 9 Alabama

By Cliff Brunt Jan. 30, 2021 02:37 PM EST
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — De'Vion Harmon scored 18 points to help No. 24 Oklahoma

Alabama players celebrate after defeating Kentucky 85-65 in an NCAA college basketball game in Lexington, Ky., Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/James Crisp)
Petty scores 23 points, Alabama blows out Kentucky 85-65

Jan. 13, 2021 12:27 AM EST
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — John Petty Jr. scored 23 points, including four of

FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2020, file photo, Alabama guard John Petty Jr. shoots against Vanderbilt during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Nashville, Tenn. Petty, one of the Southeastern Conference's top 3-point shooters, and Jaden Shackelford return after averaging 15 and 14.5 points, respectively. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Petty, Alabama looking to add defense, wins to repertoire

By John Zenor Nov. 11, 2020 09:40 AM EST
Nate Oats brought points galore in his first season at Alabama with his up

Balanced, explosive Alabama defeats Mississippi 103-78

By R.j. Morgan Feb. 22, 2020 10:57 PM EST
OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — After a late 12-0 run by Texas A&M cost Alabama a

Jackson, Texas A&M rally past Crimson Tide 74-68

By John Zenor Feb. 19, 2020 09:41 PM EST
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams told Quenton Jackson

Alabama guard Kira Lewis Jr. (2) defends as LSU guard Javonte Smart (1) attacks during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Lewis, Shackelford lead Alabama past No. 25 LSU, 88-82

By John Zenor Feb. 15, 2020 06:28 PM EST
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — LSU couldn't find a way to stop Kira Lewis Jr. and

Tennessee rallies from 15 down, beats Alabama 69-68

By John Zenor Feb. 04, 2020 09:29 PM EST
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — John Fulkerson wanted to make one thing clear to

Jones, Whitt lead Arkansas over Alabama 82-78

By Katie Windham Feb. 01, 2020 08:44 PM EST
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Following a close midweek loss at home, Arkansas coach

LSU guard Skylar Mays (4) drives to the basket as Alabama guard John Petty Jr., left, and Alabama forward Galin Smith (30) defend in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Williams leads No. 22 LSU past 'Bama for 9th straight win

By Brett Martel Jan. 29, 2020 09:23 PM EST
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — When Emmitt Williams' double-pump dunk gave No. 22 LSU