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Alabama Coach Nate Oats Says Florida 'Broke Our Will' Last Season
The Crimson Tide look to end a four-game losing streak against the defending national champion Gators.
Jan. 30, 2026 at 1:55pm
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Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats acknowledged that his team struggled against Florida's physicality and perimeter shooting in their four losses to the Gators last season, including in the SEC Tournament. Oats said the Gators "broke our will" at times and that Alabama's defense was affected by its offensive struggles. The Crimson Tide will look to end their four-game skid against the defending national champion Gators when they travel to Gainesville for a high-profile matchup on Sunday.
Why it matters
Alabama and Florida have been two of the top teams in the SEC in recent seasons, and their matchups have major implications for the conference regular season title race. The Crimson Tide will need to find a way to solve the Gators' defense and physicality if they want to keep their own conference championship hopes alive.
The details
Alabama is coming off its best defensive performance of the season in a 26-point win over Missouri, but the Crimson Tide will face a much tougher test against a Florida team that has had their number lately. The Gators have won the last four meetings between the two teams, including two victories in the SEC Tournament, with an average margin of victory of 14.75 points. Oats said Florida's backcourt, which has produced multiple NBA draft picks, "broke our will" at times last season with their physicality and shot-making ability.
- Alabama and Florida will meet on Sunday, January 30, 2026.
- The Crimson Tide have lost four straight games to the Gators over the last two seasons.
The players
Nate Oats
The head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team.
Todd Golden
The head coach of the Florida Gators basketball team.
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
“With their physicality inside and their shot-making ability with some of those guys on the perimeter, it was a little bit of a tough cover, because we were getting beat up a little bit inside, and you can't help inside when they can make shots at the level they were able to make them at.”
— Nate Oats, Alabama Head Coach
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.
