News Article: Nate Doubles Down on How Good This Team Can Be

[CajunCrimson]

Nate Oats doubles down on bold opinion of Alabama basketball's 2025-26 team

Basketball season is creeping up right around the corner. Alabama's first exhibition, as it begins preparations for the 2025-26 season, is in just 10 days. The

bamahammer.com

"I think we've got the potential to be the best shooting team we've had here," Oats said.

That belief stems from having multiple elite - and proven - college shooters on this roster. Latrell Wrightsell, Aden Holloway, Houston Mallette, and Taylor Bol Bowen all have 40%+ three-point seasons on their resumes. Labaron Philon looks much improved as a shooter, and while he only shot 31.5% from deep as a freshman, he hit 38% of his attempts over the final 14 games of the season.

 

[BamaMoon]

Nate Oats doubles down on bold opinion of Alabama basketball's 2025-26 team

Basketball season is creeping up right around the corner. Alabama's first exhibition, as it begins preparations for the 2025-26 season, is in just 10 days. The

bamahammer.com

"I think we've got the potential to be the best shooting team we've had here," Oats said.

That belief stems from having multiple elite - and proven - college shooters on this roster. Latrell Wrightsell, Aden Holloway, Houston Mallette, and Taylor Bol Bowen all have 40%+ three-point seasons on their resumes. Labaron Philon looks much improved as a shooter, and while he only shot 31.5% from deep as a freshman, he hit 38% of his attempts over the final 14 games of the season.

As I said in another thread, this has to scare opposing SEC teams to death.

If this team plays decent defense, could this be the year???

 

[CajunCrimson]

Don’t know. I’m trying to figure out where the points come from. I don’t see us having anyone that can score 20 points per night except Bethea. But if we have 8 guys all with 15, that’s pretty good.

 

[jjv0004]

So I think for the first time in 2-3 years I have no idea what to expect. Going from Brandon Miller to Mark Sears you knew you had guys that could score and one guy in particular you would go to for the last basket or when you just needed someone to step up.

This team will have to be very balanced. I think it has the potential to be with Wrightsell, Holloway, Bethea and Philon. I think all can score. If they get contribution from Bristow/Bol Bowen/Williamson and any of the freshman can contribute, I think they can be pretty good. But, I think the ceiling will end up being sweet 16'ish.