All of Alabama basketball player Nate Oats’s statements following his escape from Robert Morris

The Alabama Crimson Tide had their backs against the wall in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, struggling to put away the 15th-seeded Robert Morris Colonials in what was expected to be a routine victory. While the Crimson Tide were undoubtedly talented, their first-half performance against Robert Morris was far from impressive. With a few minutes left in the second half, Alabama found themselves in a dogfight, leading by only a slim margin. It took a gritty performance from players like Grant Nelson (who played through injury) and Brandon Miller to ensure Alabama’s survival and escape the upset bid. Coach Nate Oats, ever the passionate and candid figure, had plenty to say after his team’s narrow 74-71 victory.

As usual, Oats took the postgame podium with a direct approach, offering a blend of honest assessments, strategic insights, and reflections on his team’s performance. His words encapsulated the mixture of frustration, relief, and determination that defines the unpredictable nature of March Madness. Below, we break down Nate Oats’ statements following the game, highlighting his takeaways from the win and his thoughts on how the team can improve moving forward.

Opening Remarks: A Relieved Coach, a Grueling Victory

After the game, Oats began with a statement that reflected both the weight of the win and the disappointment of the team’s performance.

“I’m relieved to walk away with a win. Robert Morris came in here and really fought hard. You’ve got to give credit where it’s due. They played with a lot of heart and took advantage of our mistakes. We didn’t play well, but we found a way to get it done in the end. That’s the thing about March Madness — sometimes you have to win ugly. We did that today, but we can’t afford to play like this again.”

This opening set the tone for Oats’ remarks. While he expressed relief in securing the win, he was not content with the performance. It was clear that, although the team survived, Oats expected far better from his players, especially given the expectations surrounding a 2-seed like Alabama.

Reflecting on the Struggles: Where Alabama Went Wrong

Oats wasted little time addressing the shortcomings in Alabama’s play. It was clear from his statements that he was not satisfied with the way the team performed, particularly in the first half, when Alabama trailed by as many as 10 points.

“We didn’t come out with the energy and intensity that we needed. Robert Morris is a good team — don’t get me wrong — but we didn’t execute like we should have. We were sloppy with the ball, careless with our passing, and didn’t take good shots. It was a poor first half overall, and it’s not the kind of performance we should be having in the tournament.”

Oats’ frustration was palpable as he spoke about the turnover-heavy first half, where Alabama gave up easy possessions and allowed Robert Morris to hang around. Alabama’s offense was stagnant at times, with poor shot selection and a lack of ball movement that led to a slower pace than they were accustomed to. But more than anything, it was Alabama’s defensive lapses that irked Oats.

“Defensively, we were not sharp. Robert Morris was able to get into the lane too easily. We weren’t contesting shots or closing out hard enough. That’s something we’ll have to fix. Our defense has been one of our strengths all year, but it didn’t show tonight, especially in that first half.”

The Turnaround: What Changed in the Second Half?

Despite Alabama’s struggles early on, Oats was quick to highlight the adjustments his team made in the second half. He pointed to several key moments that helped the team regain control of the game.

“We made some adjustments at halftime. We knew we needed to pick up the intensity, both offensively and defensively. We changed up our defensive schemes a bit and tried to get more aggressive. We also talked about pushing the tempo more, creating easy opportunities in transition. We were too stagnant in the first half, so we knew we had to push the pace.”

Oats was particularly pleased with the way his team responded to the adversity, especially when Grant Nelson entered the game despite playing through an injury.

“Having Grant [Nelson] back on the court was huge for us. He’s a guy who can affect the game in so many ways. His leadership on the floor, his defense, and his ability to score inside were big for us. We didn’t have that presence in the first half, but once he came in, everything changed. He was a game-changer for us.”

This recognition of Nelson’s influence was important, as it underscored Oats’ appreciation for the toughness and resilience his players displayed. With Nelson’s scoring and rim protection, Alabama’s offense flowed more freely, and their defense became more disciplined, particularly in the closing minutes of the game.

Grant Nelson’s Grit: A Moment of Inspiration

Throughout Oats’ postgame comments, Nelson’s decision to play through an injury stood out as a key point of emphasis. In the midst of a close contest, it was clear that the team’s dynamic shifted when Nelson, despite his limited mobility, took the floor. Oats praised Nelson’s leadership and determination, stressing the importance of the forward’s contributions.

“Grant’s toughness is something that can’t be overlooked. He’s playing through pain, and that’s something that speaks to his character. We had a couple of guys who weren’t fully healthy, but Grant showed that sometimes it’s not just about playing for yourself — it’s about playing for the team. His leadership really galvanized us in that second half.”

Nelson’s performance, which included 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 key blocks in only 12 minutes, was symbolic of his never-quit attitude. Oats emphasized that Nelson’s willingness to push through the injury was a key motivator for the rest of the team, and it was a lesson that would resonate throughout Alabama’s tournament journey.

“When you see a guy like Grant, who’s one of the best players on our team, putting it all on the line for his teammates, it sets the tone for everyone else. We needed that, and he delivered in the biggest moments.”

Brandon Miller’s Leadership: A Star Ready for March

Another focal point of Oats’ postgame statements was Brandon Miller, who despite the team’s early struggles, put up a solid performance and helped close out the game. Miller finished with 18 points and was a key part of Alabama’s second-half surge.

“Brandon’s leadership tonight was exactly what we needed. He’s a guy who can score in a variety of ways, but his defense and his basketball IQ are what really make him special. He didn’t shy away from the moment. Even when things weren’t going our way, he stayed composed and kept us in the game. We’re going to need more of that from him going forward.”

Oats also praised Miller’s defense, noting that it was an underappreciated aspect of his game. Miller’s ability to lock down on defense, coupled with his scoring ability, made him a crucial asset in the comeback effort.

“Brandon’s defense is something I don’t think gets enough credit. He’s a two-way player who impacts the game on both ends. Tonight, he played a huge part in limiting their shooters in the second half. It was important for us to get stops, and he was a big reason why we were able to do that.”

Looking Ahead: Lessons Learned and What’s Next for Alabama

Despite the narrow win, Oats remained optimistic about the team’s chances in the tournament. However, he stressed that the Crimson Tide would need to improve if they were going to make a deep run.

“We’re fortunate to come away with a win tonight, but we can’t rely on close calls like this. We’ve got to play better basketball if we want to make a deep run. Our focus is going to be on tightening up our defense, executing on offense, and playing with more energy from the start. The next game will be tougher, and we’ll need to be better prepared.”

Coach Oats took a moment to reflect on the lessons learned from the win and how the team could build on them moving forward. He acknowledged that the first round was a reminder of the unpredictability of the NCAA Tournament, where upsets are a constant threat and every possession matters.

“March is unpredictable. You can’t take any opponent lightly. Robert Morris came out and played their best basketball, and that’s a lesson for us. We can’t just turn it on when we want to — we have to be ready from the tip-off. But I’m proud of the guys for finding a way to win. Now we’ve got to move on and get ready for the next one.”

Oats also made sure to highlight the importance of taking one game at a time, as is the mantra for so many teams in March Madness.

“At this point in the tournament, you can’t look too far ahead. Every game is a new challenge. We’re just focused on making sure we play better next time, and that’s all we can control. We’ll go back to the drawing board, fix our mistakes, and come back stronger for the next round.”

 A Hard-Fought Win and the Road Ahead

Oats wrapped up his postgame comments with a mixture of pride in his team’s resilience and a focus on the work that still lay ahead. It was clear that Alabama had learned a valuable lesson from their close escape against Robert Morris, and that lesson would fuel their determination to improve as they advanced through the tournament.

*”We’ll take

the win, but we’ve got to play better moving forward. There’s no room for complacency. But I’m proud of how we responded in the second half. We’ve got a talented group, and when we’re clicking, we can beat anyone. Now, we’ve just got to keep getting better.”*

With that, Coach Oats closed his statement, leaving the media with a clear understanding of the challenges Alabama faced and the determination that would guide them through the rest of their tournament run.