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Alabama Coach Nate Oats: Florida 'Broke Us' Last Season
Crimson Tide head coach says Gators' backcourt and physicality were too much to handle in recent matchups.
Jan. 30, 2026 at 8:55pm
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Alabama men's basketball head coach Nate Oats says the Florida Gators 'broke our will' in recent matchups, citing the Gators' elite backcourt and physical play as issues the Crimson Tide struggled to overcome. Alabama has lost four straight games to Florida, with the Gators winning by an average of 14.75 points in those contests. Oats is hoping his team can show more mental toughness when the two teams meet again on Sunday.
Why it matters
The Alabama-Florida rivalry in men's basketball has been one-sided in recent years, with the Gators dominating the Crimson Tide. Oats is looking to change that narrative and get his team mentally prepared to handle Florida's strengths, which he believes 'broke' Alabama last season.
The details
Alabama has lost four straight games to Florida, with the Gators winning by an average of 14.75 points. Oats cited Florida's elite backcourt, which features multiple players now in the NBA, as well as the Gators' physicality inside as issues that 'broke' Alabama's will last season. The Crimson Tide struggled to defend Florida's perimeter shooting while also getting 'beat up' inside, leading to frustration that impacted their defense.
- The Crimson Tide's lone victory over Florida in the last two seasons came by five points in Tuscaloosa.
- Three of Florida's four victories over Alabama in that span came by double-digit points.
- The most recent matchup was in the SEC Tournament, where Oats said the Gators 'broke our will'.
The players
Nate Oats
The head coach of the Alabama men's basketball team, who is looking to end his team's recent struggles against the Florida Gators.
Florida Gators
The men's basketball team that has dominated Alabama in recent seasons, winning four straight games against the Crimson Tide by an average of 14.75 points.
What they’re saying
“The backcourt that they've had was elite. Look at all three of those guys in the NBA, and they're really good. I feel like they broke our will a couple times last year, to be honest with you.”
— Nate Oats, Alabama Head Coach
“I just last night was watching the SEC semifinal game against them, and in the second half, they just kind of broke us, and it was disappointing to watch it. It was a team I was responsible for, and I didn't do a good enough job of coaching them and getting them mentally tough enough.”
— Nate Oats, Alabama Head Coach
What’s next
No. 23 Alabama will face No. 19 Florida on Sunday, February 1, at noon CT.
The takeaway
Oats is determined to get his team mentally tougher and better prepared to handle Florida's strengths, which have been a major problem for Alabama in recent seasons. The Crimson Tide will have a chance to end their four-game losing streak against the Gators when the two teams meet on Sunday.
