Coach Oats, No. 5 Alabama put pedal to metal in rapid rise
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)

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)

Mar. 14, 2021 03:54 PM EDT
Alabama head coach Nate Oats and players lift the trophy after the championship game of the NCAA college basketball Southeastern Conference Tournament between Alabama and LSU Sunday, March 14, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Alabama won 80-79. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Alabama head coach Nate Oats and players lift the trophy after the championship game of the NCAA college basketball Southeastern Conference Tournament between Alabama and LSU Sunday, March 14, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Alabama won 80-79. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Mar. 14, 2021 03:56 PM EDT
Tennessee's Santiago Vescovi, right, shoots as Alabama's John Petty Jr. (23) pressures him in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Southeastern Conference Tournament Saturday, March 13, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee's Santiago Vescovi, right, shoots as Alabama's John Petty Jr. (23) pressures him in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Southeastern Conference Tournament Saturday, March 13, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Mar. 13, 2021 03:16 PM EST
Alabama's Herbert Jones plays against LSU during the first half of the championship game at the NCAA college basketball Southeastern Conference Tournament Sunday, March 14, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Alabama's Herbert Jones plays against LSU during the first half of the championship game at the NCAA college basketball Southeastern Conference Tournament Sunday, March 14, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Mar. 14, 2021 02:41 PM EDT