Avery Johnson Jr.
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

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

Alabama coach Nate Oats speaks during the Southeastern Conference NCAA college basketball media day Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Oats trying to bring fun, wins back to Alabama basketball

By John Zenor Oct. 24, 2019 04:35 PM EDT
Kira Lewis Jr. likes Nate Oats' style, both his personal "swagger" and the

Clemson coach Brad Brownell answers a question during the Atlantic Coast Conference NCAA college basketball media day in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Clemson looks to new faces to challenge in ACC play

By Pete Iacobelli Oct. 23, 2019 05:49 PM EDT
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Clemson forward Aamir Simms didn't enjoy what he saw during the

Juwan Howard smiles during his introduction as Michigan's new men's basketball coach, Thursday, May 30, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Mich. The former member of the Fab Five has a five-year contract that will pay him $2 million in his first year. The former Miami Heat assistant coach replaces John Beilein, who left to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan's Howard becomes latest NBA player to coach college

By John Marshall May. 31, 2019 02:08 AM EDT
Michigan had many options to replace longtime coach John Beilein. The

Alabama signs JUCO All-American forward James Rojas

May. 21, 2019 12:34 PM EDT
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Junior college forward James Rojas has signed to play with

Alabama's Kira Lewis Jr. announces he's staying put

Apr. 08, 2019 08:13 PM EDT
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama point guard Kira Lewis Jr. says he's staying put

Nate Oats speaks after being introduced as the new men's college basketball coach for the University of Alabama, Thursday, March 28, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama's Nate Oats receives $2.45 million deal

Mar. 29, 2019 09:30 PM EDT
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama will pay new basketball coach Nate Oats $2.45 million

Nate Oats speaks after being introduced as the new men's college basketball coach for the University of Alabama, Thursday, March 28, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
New Alabama coach Nate Oats says, 'We can make a Final Four'

By John Zenor Mar. 28, 2019 05:08 PM EDT
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Nate Oats was a high school coach and math teacher making a

Buffalo head coach Nate Oats is seen on the sidelines during the first half of a second round men's college basketball game against Texas Tech in the NCAA Tournament Sunday, March 24, 2019, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Alabama hires Buffalo's Nate Oats as its mens' hoops coach

Mar. 27, 2019 04:39 PM EDT
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Nate Oats helped turned Buffalo into an NCAA Tournament

Iowa State head coach Steve Prohm is seen on the sidelines during the second half of a first round men's college basketball game against Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament Friday, March 22, 2019, in Tulsa, Okla. Ohio State won 62-59. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Iowa State signs basketball coach Prohm through 2025

By Luke Meredith Mar. 26, 2019 01:09 PM EDT
AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State and coach Steve Prohm have agreed to a three-year

Alabama head coach Avery Johnson yells to his players in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Mississippi at the Southeastern Conference tournament Thursday, March 14, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. Alabama won 62-57. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Alabama AD outlines criteria for next hoops coach

Mar. 25, 2019 03:55 PM EDT
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne is looking for a new

Alabama head coach Avery Johnson watches the action in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kentucky at the Southeastern Conference tournament Friday, March 15, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Johnson out as Alabama basketball coach after 4 seasons

Mar. 24, 2019 01:21 PM EDT
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Avery Johnson brought attention, more fans and several highly

UNC-Greensboro head coach Wes Miller, left, argues a call with a referee in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wofford for the Southern Conference tournament championship, Monday, March 1, 2019, in Asheville, N.C. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)
UNCG, Indiana, Bama and TCU earn top seeds in NIT

By John Kekis Mar. 17, 2019 09:30 PM EDT
UNC Greensboro coach Wes Miller and his Spartans were dealt a double dose of

Kentucky head coach John Calipari argues a call in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Alabama at the Southeastern Conference tournament Friday, March 15, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
No. 4 Kentucky easily beats Alabama 73-55 at SEC Tournament

By Teresa M. Walker Mar. 15, 2019 09:18 PM EDT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The fourth-ranked Kentucky Wildcats have Reid Travis back to

Harper, Auburn rally to beat rival Alabama 66-60

By John Zenor Mar. 05, 2019 11:25 PM EST
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Jared Harper finished both his drives and the game strong.

Alabama head coach Avery Johnson reacts to a ref's call against LSU during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Mays, Smart lead No. 13 LSU past Alabama 74-69

By John Zenor Mar. 02, 2019 02:31 PM EST
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Tremont Waters swiped a pass and raced toward the basket.

Lewis leads Alabama to 68-62 win at South Carolina

By Pete Iacobelli Feb. 26, 2019 09:32 PM EST
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — As late as it was in the season, Alabama coach Avery Johnson

Lewis, Alabama hand Vanderbilt 15th straight loss, 68-61

By John Zenor Feb. 23, 2019 08:26 PM EST
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama survived in a game it couldn't really afford to lose.

Mississippi State cruises to 81-62 win over Alabama

By David Brandt Feb. 12, 2019 11:12 PM EST
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Lamar Peters embraces the role of the point guard and loves