Alabama Coach Nate Oats Vows to Boost Frontcourt Size After Sweet 16 Exit

Crimson Tide struggled against dominant big men all season due to lack of depth in the paint

Mar. 28, 2026 at 4:05am

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Alabama head coach Nate Oats acknowledged the need to bolster his team's frontcourt size and depth after the Crimson Tide's season-ending loss to Michigan in the Sweet 16. Oats cited Alabama's inability to match up with dominant big men throughout the year as a key factor in their struggles, with injuries and eligibility issues limiting their options in the paint.

Why it matters

Alabama's lack of size and depth in the frontcourt was a recurring issue that plagued them against top opponents with strong interior presences. Addressing this weakness will be a top priority for Oats as he looks to build a roster capable of making a deeper NCAA Tournament run next season.

The details

In their Sweet 16 loss to Michigan, the Crimson Tide were out-rebounded 46-32, with Wolverines center Yaxel Lendeborg dominating with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Alabama struggled against other teams with dominant big men like Florida and Purdue throughout the year. Starter Aiden Sherrell did an admirable job, but the Tide lacked reliable depth behind him due to injuries and eligibility issues with players like Keitenn Bristow and Collins Onyejiaka.

  • Alabama's season ended with the Sweet 16 loss to Michigan on March 24, 2026.
  • The Crimson Tide finished the year with a 25-10 record.

The players

Nate Oats

The head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team.

Aiden Sherrell

Alabama's starting center who was the team's primary option in the paint.

Yaxel Lendeborg

The Michigan Wolverines' dominant 7-foot-3 center who scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds against Alabama in the Sweet 16.

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What they’re saying

“Sherrell has done an unbelievable job manning the five spot, but when you look at our four spot, combined for zero rebounds in the second half, and we needed rebounds.”

— Nate Oats, Head Coach, Alabama Crimson Tide

“We know we got to get bigger. Some of it was some injuries and stuff that happened... Our guys handled the adversity with the lineup well. I couldn't be more proud of a group.”

— Nate Oats, Head Coach, Alabama Crimson Tide

What’s next

With the transfer portal season approaching, Oats said addressing Alabama's frontcourt depth and size will be a top priority as he looks to build a roster capable of making a deeper NCAA Tournament run next year.

The takeaway

Alabama's inability to match up with dominant big men was a recurring issue that ultimately contributed to their Sweet 16 exit. Oats recognizes the need to significantly bolster the Crimson Tide's frontcourt size and depth in the offseason in order to compete with the top teams in college basketball.