Though it came after a stinging loss to No. 1 seed Duke in the Elite Eight, Nate Oats and the Alabama men’s basketball team received effusive praise following the program’s third run to the regional finals of the men’s NCAA Tournament.
Former Auburn great and basketball analyst Charles Barkley congratulated the Crimson Tide for their run to the Elite Eight, which came a year after the Crimson Tide made their first run to the Final Four. Barkley also reflected on the state of basketball in his home state of Alabama, which had multiple teams make the tournament, including No. 1 overall seed Auburn.
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“I want to congratulate Alabama, Coach Oats, Mark Sears and that team. What they’ve been able to accomplish the last couple of years,” Barkley said. “Kenny (Smith) said something, he can’t believe that Alabama, Auburn are on the top of the food chain in basketball. I’m so proud of what we have accomplished in Alabama, with Auburn getting to the Final Four a couple years ago, with last year, Coach Oats getting that team to the Final Four.
“This has been a great ride for them the last couple of years, and I want to take time to acknowledge the great job Coach Oats and Mark Sears have done for the University of Alabama.”
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Smith then interjected that what he meant was it’s hard to believe the state of Alabama is the capital of basketball. Indeed, the state saw four teams make the tournament, including No. 1 seed Auburn (at large), No. 2 seed Alabama (at large), No. 14 seed Troy (Sun Belt champion) and No. 16 seed Alabama State (SWAC champion).
Moreover, North Alabama, Jacksonville State and UAB all lost in their conference championships in the Atlantic Sun, Conference USA and AAC, respectively. Had they won, the state of Alabama would have fielded seven teams in the men’s NCAA Tournament, including five conference champions.
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Barkley later added he never thought he would see Alabama or Auburn make the Final Four during his lifetime. The Tigers made their first appearance in 2019, while the Crimson Tide followed in 2024.
“I’m so proud of Alabama and Auburn. Because obviously I have great pride in my school, and being from Alabama,” Barkley said. “I never in my wildest dream thought that Alabama and Auburn would make it to the Final Four. And that’s not a knock. Everybody knows that football is King Kong.”
Smith then interjected: “Alabama’s on top of the college basketball world.”
Though it may be cold comfort following their Elite Eight loss to Duke, perhaps Oats and Alabama can feel some pride in contributing to that notion.
