Nate Oats Details How the Last Six Games Have Affected Alabama

The Crimson Tide has lost four of its last six contests—all of which coming against ranked teams.

Mar 5, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats directs his team against the Florida Gators during the first half at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Will McLelland-Imagn Images | Will McLelland-Imagn Images

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— No. 7 Alabama men's basketball's loss to No. 5 Florida at home on Wednesday night became the Crimson Tide's fourth defeat in the last six games––all of which came against ranked teams.

Throughout the cold stretch, Alabama has gone from the AP Top 25's No. 2 team in the nation, then to No. 4, then to No. 6, and following the loss to the Gators, the Tide could move in the wrong direction from its current No. 7 rank.

"I don't think anybody in the country has played the stretch of seven games that we did during the regular season," Alabama head coach Nate Oats said during Friday's press conference. "I think you could look at all the analytics and stuff, so I think we had the toughest seven-game stretch in the country. It's obviously going to take a toll on you physically. Guys are a little bit banged up mentally, emotionally, that's what we've tried to just get our guys going again."

Alabama has also gone from being tied with Auburn for the No. 1 spot in the SEC standings and is now No. 3 after the loss to Florida. The Crimson Tide was once a solidified one-seed for the 2025 NCAA Tournament, but now sits at a No. 2 seed in bracketology.

"You know, we played the best teams in the country and we've taken some Ls," Oats said. "But last year, we lost three in a row in December against three pretty good teams. We lost four of our last six and still made a Final Four run. So I know we've got some guys that can bounce back, be ready to go and I'm looking for guys to be ready to go and bounce back tomorrow."

Although Alabama is set for Saturday's regular-season finale on the road against No. 1 Auburn, the Crimson Tide can relax a little bit as its postseason destiny is practically set in stone regardless of the outcome.

While the Alabama-Florida postgame press conferences were in session, Oklahoma completed a 96-84 home upset over No. 15 Missouri. Sooners guard Jeremiah Fears led his team to victory with a dominant 31-point performance.

So why is this good for Alabama? Well, Missouri came into Wednesday with the No. 5 spot in the SEC standings and was a game behind the Crimson Tide and Tennessee. The Tigers' loss prevented them from a shot at gaining one of the top-4 seeds as only one matchup remains before the conference tournament.

In other words, Alabama clinched one of the top-4 seeds, meaning it will have a double-bye for the SEC Tournament next week. Instead of playing next Thursday, head coach Nate Oats and company will play on Friday.

In other words, there isn't much to lose against Auburn.

“There’s really nothing other than either a 3-seed or a 4-seed [in the SEC Tournament] and whatever the NCAA Tournament committee wants to decide on our resume," Oats said. "Obviously a win here would help against the No. 1 team in the country, but I still think we’ve got a good resume for our seed in the NCAA Tournament.

“So there’s not a whole lot riding on this game other than some pride. The Alabama-Auburn rivalry, there’s obviously going to be some pride in this game. I’m sure both teams, maybe in different circumstances, would think about resting their guys. But unless somebody’s really banged up badly our guys are planning on playing in this game (except for forward Derrion Reid).