The Extra Point: The Main Difference Between This Year’s Alabama Team and Nate Oats’s Past Groups

As the 2024-2025 college basketball season heads toward the final stretch, Alabama Crimson Tide basketball has established itself as one of the most dominant programs in the country. Under head coach Nate Oats, the team has consistently been known for its high-paced, high-scoring offense. However, this year’s Alabama team is different. While still possessing many of the hallmarks of Oats’s previous teams, this iteration of the Crimson Tide has shown unique growth and maturation. It represents a new stage of development in Oats’s tenure at Alabama, where the emphasis on offensive firepower remains, but the balance between offense and defense has evolved, making this team more versatile and dangerous.

In this feature, we will explore the main differences between this year’s Alabama squad and Nate Oats’s previous teams. The key change lies not just in the roster or the style of play but in how Oats has adapted his coaching philosophy to the changing landscape of college basketball. This year’s Alabama team is a more complete, multifaceted version of Oats’s vision. From defensive improvements to depth and leadership, the Crimson Tide have taken a step forward, and it’s this growth that could carry them deeper into March Madness than they’ve ever been before.

Nate Oats’s Coaching Evolution: From “40 Minutes of Hell” to a Balanced Attack

Nate Oats’s approach to coaching has always revolved around one core principle: pace and space. His time at Buffalo, where he led the Bulls to the NCAA Tournament and won multiple MAC titles, showcased his ability to play a fast, high-scoring style. When he took over at Alabama in 2019, it was clear he intended to bring that same aggressive offensive philosophy to the Southeastern Conference (SEC). From day one, Oats emphasized playing fast, shooting threes, and pushing the ball in transition.

In his first few years at Alabama, the Crimson Tide became one of the most prolific scoring teams in the country. They consistently ranked near the top in tempo, three-point attempts, and offensive efficiency. Alabama’s offense was built around speed, athleticism, and volume shooting. Defensively, Oats’s teams leaned heavily on pressure, forcing turnovers and turning them into fast-break opportunities.

However, as Alabama’s program grew and the competition got tougher, Oats recognized the need for balance. The SEC became more competitive, and teams were learning to slow down Alabama’s fast breaks and challenge their perimeter shooting. In response, Oats began refining his approach—he had to incorporate a more well-rounded style of play that combined his high-octane offense with a stronger, more disciplined defense. This year’s team represents the fruition of that evolution.

Offensive Continuity: Still Fast, But Smarter

Even as the team has grown more defensively oriented, Alabama’s offensive identity under Oats remains largely intact. The Crimson Tide continue to play fast—often among the nation’s top teams in terms of pace—but with an added focus on making smarter decisions and finding high-quality shots.

In past years, Alabama’s offensive efficiency was often driven by sheer volume. The team took a large number of three-point attempts, relying on its shooters to find rhythm and hit big shots. While this style was effective in stretches, it could also lead to inconsistency, especially against stronger defensive teams in the postseason.

This year, Oats has placed more emphasis on taking better shots, focusing on creating more efficient possessions. Alabama’s offense is still predicated on speed and spacing, but the shot selection has improved. The team has adjusted to focus on driving to the basket, creating open looks for shooters, and working the ball around for higher-quality three-pointers rather than just firing away from deep.

The key to Alabama’s offensive success this season has been the dynamic scoring contributions from a wider range of players. The likes of Jaden Ivey, Javian Davis, and Noah Gurley are capable of scoring in different ways, whether in transition, driving to the rim, or from beyond the arc. This flexibility allows Alabama to dictate the tempo of the game but also adapt to opposing defensive schemes.

One of the significant differences from previous teams has been the improved shot discipline. Under Oats’s early years at Alabama, the team could sometimes fall into the trap of taking low-percentage shots when their three-point game wasn’t falling. This year, however, there is a sense of maturity in their offensive decision-making. They are more patient with their possessions and more selective about when to push the pace.

Defensive Growth: A More Balanced Team

Perhaps the most significant difference between this year’s Alabama team and Nate Oats’s past groups is their defensive improvement. Historically, Oats’s teams have been known for their frenetic pace on offense, but their defense was often a point of contention. While Alabama played with intensity on the defensive end and forced turnovers, they were vulnerable in half-court sets and struggled at times with defending the perimeter and protecting the paint.

This year, Alabama has shown significant strides on defense. Oats has worked to implement a more balanced defensive approach that blends his aggressive, up-tempo style with a more disciplined half-court defense. The Crimson Tide have become much tougher on the ball, improving their ability to lock down opposing shooters and limit easy baskets.

The addition of a more solidified defensive frontcourt, led by the likes of Noah Clowney and Javian Davis, has given Alabama the ability to contest shots at the rim and protect the paint. Meanwhile, the guard rotation, which includes quick and athletic players like Jaden Ivey and Mark Sears, has improved in terms of perimeter defense, making it harder for teams to get open looks from beyond the arc.

What stands out about this year’s defense is that it’s no longer just about creating chaos and forcing turnovers. Instead, Oats has integrated defensive principles that focus on staying in position, contesting shots, and preventing easy fast-break opportunities. This shift has made Alabama a more complete team—one that can lock down opponents and grind out victories in addition to blowing teams out in transition.

Leadership: The Role of Seniority and Player Development

Another key difference for Alabama this year has been the development of leadership within the roster. While Oats’s earlier teams had talented players, they often lacked the veteran leadership needed to guide the team through the intense pressure of high-stakes games. The infusion of experience on this year’s squad has made a world of difference.

Jaden Ivey, a sophomore guard who has been a standout scorer for the team, has taken on a leadership role. His playmaking ability and maturity on the court have allowed him to not only score efficiently but also help orchestrate the offense. He has become a vocal presence in the locker room and has led by example on both ends of the floor. Having a player like Ivey, who can carry the scoring load but also manage the flow of the game, has been instrumental in Alabama’s success this year.

In addition to Ivey, seniors like Javian Davis and Noah Gurley have been key in providing leadership, both in terms of on-court performance and the mental toughness needed to handle the pressure of the NCAA tournament. These players have been through the highs and lows of college basketball and are able to bring stability when the team faces adversity. Their experience in big moments has given Alabama the confidence to perform under pressure, a trait that was sometimes lacking in previous seasons.

Furthermore, Oats’s coaching philosophy has been about developing players who can step up when needed. The development of players like Clowney, who has emerged as a standout defender and versatile forward, highlights the continuous improvement of Alabama’s program. The younger players are being mentored by the upperclassmen, which has created a strong culture of leadership and accountability.

Team Chemistry: A Cohesive Group Ready for the Long Haul

Another noticeable change this season has been the palpable team chemistry. While past Alabama teams were focused on individual skill and athleticism, this year’s group has shown a commitment to working as a cohesive unit. The players trust each other on the floor, knowing that if they’re not having a good shooting night, their teammates will pick up the slack. The emphasis on unselfish play has allowed the team to thrive despite moments of individual struggles.

Alabama has become more reliant on teamwork and less focused on a single player carrying the load. While Ivey and Davis have been important scoring options, the team has learned how to win as a collective, relying on each player to contribute in multiple ways. This team-first mentality has allowed the Crimson Tide to handle adversity with poise and continue to find success.

The Road Ahead: Can This Year’s Alabama Team Go All the Way?

As Alabama moves deeper into the 2025 NCAA Tournament, the question now is whether this new, balanced version of the Crimson Tide can finally take them all the way to a national championship. The combination of an improved defense, better shot selection, and mature leadership gives Alabama a strong foundation to compete with the nation’s elite teams. Their ability to win in different ways, whether by pushing the pace or locking down defensively, makes them a formidable opponent.

Ultimately, the difference between this year’s Alabama team and Nate Oats’s past squads is the balance they’ve struck between offense and defense. Oats’s high-speed offense remains a trademark, but the addition of defensive discipline, leadership, and team chemistry has made Alabama a more complete and dangerous team. With the right blend of offensive firepower and defensive grit, Alabama has the potential to make a deep run, and possibly claim a long-awaited national title.

This year’s Crimson Tide may be the team that finally answers the question of whether Oats’s system can lead to a championship. Their success will depend on how well they continue to balance their explosive offensive play with the defensive improvements they’ve made, and if they can maintain their unity and leadership when the pressure is at its highest. If they can do that, they’ll be a tough team to beat in March Madness—and beyond.