Alabama Coach Challenges Standout Freshman Ahead of SEC Tournament

Nate Oats wants Amari Allen to be "locked in" for postseason play.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats has been praising freshman standout Amari Allen all season, but after a recent game against Georgia, Oats is now challenging the potential NBA lottery pick to be "locked in" for the upcoming SEC Tournament.

Why it matters

Allen is a key player for Alabama, and Oats wants to ensure he is focused and performing at his best as the team heads into the high-stakes postseason. The SEC Tournament is an important precursor to the NCAA Tournament, so Oats' comments suggest he sees room for improvement in Allen's game that could impact the team's success.

The details

Following Alabama's visit to Georgia, Oats said that if Allen can get "locked in to making winning plays," his offensive production will follow. This indicates Oats believes Allen has the talent to dominate games, but needs to be more dialed in mentally and focused on the team's objectives rather than just his individual stats.

  • The comments came after Alabama's game against Georgia on March 1, 2026.

The players

Nate Oats

The head coach of the Alabama basketball team.

Amari Allen

A highly touted freshman standout on the Alabama basketball team who is considered a potential NBA lottery pick.

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What they’re saying

“And if you get locked in to making winning plays, and you're a talented offensive guy like him, the offense will follow.”

— Nate Oats, Head Coach

What’s next

The SEC Tournament is scheduled to begin on March 12, 2026, so Oats will look to ensure Allen is fully focused and prepared to lead Alabama to success in the postseason.

The takeaway

Oats is challenging his star freshman to take his game to the next level at the most critical time of the season, demonstrating the high expectations he has for Allen and the team as they pursue a deep NCAA Tournament run.