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Nate Oats Sends Message to Alabama Fans Before Arizona Game: Roll Call

Your daily briefing on what's going on with Alabama Athletics, including full TV listings.
Hunter De Siver|
Mar 15, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats yells instructions to his team against the Florida Gators during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Mar 15, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats yells instructions to his team against the Florida Gators during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

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Alabama Crimson Tide

No. 12 Alabama will play its 10th game of the regular season on Saturday night against No. 1 Arizona in Birmingham for the C.M. Newton Classic.

This is far from the first time that Alabama head coachNate Oats has gone head-to-head with the AP No. 1 team, as he's 3-4 since his arrival in 2019. However, despite this high-stakes matchup, as of Wednesday evening, there are still a plethora of seats available in Legacy Arena at BJCC.

"This weekend in Birmingham is a big opportunity for our program," Oats said on Tuesday. "Arizona is coming to town as the No. 1 team in the country, and our guys are excited for the challenge. We need Crimson Tide fans packing Legacy Arena and making it as loud as possible there."

This is a return neutral-site game from the 2023-24 season when these two programs played in Phoenix. Arizona won that contest 87-74 on Dec. 20, 2023. The crowd played a role in the Crimson Tide's loss that evening and Oats reinforced that it's Alabama's turn to do the same to Arizona.

"We play a tough schedule, but the best team we may play is right there in Birmingham," Oats told The Next Round on Wednesday morning. "Arizona is the No. 1 team in the country right now. For all of the fans, when we first got here, the group that helps us put this game on, Knight Eady up there in Birmingham, talked to us about trying to get quality opponents for the game. We've done our job on our end of getting quality opponents for this game.

"I would hope that the basketball fans — Alabama fans in particular, but basketball fans in general in Alabama — appreciate the fact we're bringing [Arizona] in and we get a sellout on Saturday," Oats said. "Because we've done our job in bringing in the best teams in the country to play this game in Birmingham."

Tipoff is set for Saturday, Dec. 13, at 8:30 p.m. CT on ESPN. Oats needs you to come and support Alabama at Legacy Arena, and tickets can be purchased here.

  1. Roll Call:
  2. Wednesday's Scores:
  3. Thursday's Schedule:
  4. SEC News:
  5. Did You Notice?
  6. On This Day in Crimson Tide History:
  7. Crimson Tide Quote of the Day:
  8. Check us Out On:
  9. We'll Leave You with This:
  10. Read More:

Roll Call:

Wednesday's Scores:

No results

Thursday's Schedule:

No events scheduled

SEC News:

5 Most Promising Freshmen From Mizzou's 2025 Campaign

Clark Lea, Diego Pavia Get Major SEC Awards

Did You Notice?

  • Numerous former Alabama standouts shined during Week 14 of the NFL regular season. New York Jets rookie safety Malachi Moore, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs and Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy were also among the best Crimson Tide products this past week.
  • Alabama men's basketball shared a video of guard Jalil Bethea's 21-point performance against UTSA. It was the Miami transfer's first game with impactful minutes after suffering a foot injury before the season.
  • Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor visited the Texas Children's Hospital with his fellow Lombardi Award finalists. This award is given annually to college football's top lineman on either side of the ball, honoring leadership, courage, performance and discipline on and off the field.
  • Alabama women's basketball moved up to 10-0 for the first time in program history following its 79-65 win over Kennesaw State, and the Coaches Poll recently placed the Crimson Tide at No. 25.
  • Alabama softball is offering sponsorship opportunities ahead of head coach Patrick Murphy's 30th season with the Crimson Tide.
  • Former Alabama softball pitcher and AUSL Series champion Montana Fouts threw some pitches during the MLB Winter Meetings.
  • Alabama gymnastics gives a preview of freshman Jasmine Cawley's abilities on floor.
  • Alabama rowing signed its newest athlete, Malone Zahler, who is from Dixie Heights High School in Kentucky.

On This Day in Crimson Tide History:

December 11, 1971: Among those signing letters-of-intent to play for Alabama were Leroy Cook, a 6-4, 190-pound prospect from Abbeville, and Woodrow Lowe, a 6-1, 185-pound player from Phenix City.

December 11, 1982: Roman Harper was born in Prattville, Ala.

Crimson Tide Quote of the Day:

“I feel like a lot of players have a chip on their shoulder, even though we won the national championship. We all want to strive to be the best players at our positions. That’s just the mentality that we have at that school and that program that Coach Saban instilled in us.”
Former Alabama guard Chance Warmack

Check us Out On:

We'll Leave You with This:

Check out BamaCentral assistant editor Katie Windham's latest episode of the Crimson Flame Podcast, as she interviews former Alabama gymnast Shea Mahoney Ras!

Read More:

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Hunter De Siver
HUNTER DE SIVER

Hunter De Siver is the lead basketball writer for BamaCentral and has covered Crimson Tide football since 2024. He previously distributed stories about the NFL and NBA for On SI and was a staff writer for Missouri Tigers On SI and Cowbell Corner. Before that, Hunter generated articles highlighting Crimson Tide products in the NFL and NBA for BamaCentral as an intern in 2022 and 2023. Hunter is a graduate from the University of Alabama, earning a degree in sports media in 2023.

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