Nate Oats Urges Alabama Basketball to Respect All Opponents

Alabama men's basketball coach Nate Oats is urging his team to display more intensity and respect for opponents, particularly as they prepare to face Georgia. After a recent win against Mississippi State, where the Tide allowed Bulldogs guard Josh Hubbard to score a career-high 38 points, Oats highlighted the need for players to take ownership in defending top scorers. He noted a pattern where opposing players consistently achieve career highs against Alabama's defense, indicating a lack of collective effort to curb elite scorers. Oats praised guard Chris Youngblood for stepping up but desires to see more players demonstrate similar defensive resolve. As the Crimson Tide enters a crucial stretch of games, he emphasized that every opponent deserves full respect, referencing Georgia's recent competitive performances against high-ranking teams. Alabama has been more productive offensively on the road, setting an SEC record for scoring in consecutive away games, but Oats is looking for a consistent performance at home as well.