Nate Oats Provides Update on Latrell Wrightsell Before Sweet 16

Wrightsell exited the Crimson Tide's second round NCAA Tournament game and did not return.

LOS ANGELES — Alabama basketball was as healthy as it could be entering the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament in Spokane, Wash. That was before the second round of the tournament, when starting guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. left the game with a head injury in the first half and was almost immediately ruled out for the game.

On Wednesday, Alabama head coach Nate Oats updated the status of Wrightsell's injury ahead of the Crimson Tide's Sweet 16 matchup with 1-seed North Carolina. The update came after Wrightsell as not present during the media viewing period of Alabama's Wednesday practice.

"Latrell's being re-evaluated by the medical staff every day, and he's basically on a day-to-day basis now," Oats said. "I'm not sure if he'll be available or not. They'll let us know tomorrow."

Oats was initially very optimistic about Wrightsell playing, stating during his Grand Canyon postgame press conference that he would be available to play on Thursday. However, he dialed it back during his appearance on his 'Hey Coach' radio show on Monday, putting his status in question.

It's the second head injury that Wrightsell has suffered this season. The first one, which he suffered in practice on Monday, Feb. 19, kept him sidelined for four games and left him with a minutes restriction in the fifth. In the five games where Wrightsell either missed or had his playing time restricted, Alabama went just 2-3.

Wrightsell has been one of the most important players to Alabama's success all season, with the Crimson Tide boasting an undefeated record when Wrightsell scores at least double-digit points. For the season, Wrightsell averages nine points and three rebounds per game while shooting nearly 45 percent from beyond the arc.

Alabama's game against North Carolina is set to tipoff around 8:40 p.m. CT on CBS Thursday night.