‘We’ve got to get better’: What Nate Oats stated after Alabama’s season ended against Duke
Alabama’s 2025 NCAA Tournament run came to a heartbreaking end in the Elite Eight, as the Crimson Tide fell to Duke in a hard-fought contest. Head coach Nate Oats, who has elevated Alabama basketball into national prominence, was candid in his postgame remarks, acknowledging the team’s shortcomings and setting the stage for what’s next.
The Loss to Duke: A Tough Ending to a Strong Season
Heading into the matchup against Duke, Alabama had momentum on its side. The Tide had overcome challenges throughout the tournament, demonstrating resilience and offensive firepower. However, against a disciplined and talented Duke squad, Alabama struggled with consistency. Turnovers, rebounding battles, and defensive lapses proved costly as Duke executed down the stretch to punch its ticket to the Final Four.
Oats, never one to sugarcoat reality, addressed the loss head-on.
“We’ve got to get better,” Oats said. “We had a great season, but our goal is to win national championships. We’ve been close, but close isn’t good enough.”
Key Takeaways from Oats’ Postgame Press Conference
1. Acknowledging Areas for Improvement
Oats pointed to several key areas where Alabama fell short against Duke. One of the biggest issues was rebounding. Duke dominated the boards, securing second-chance opportunities that proved to be crucial in a tightly contested game.
“We got beat on the glass, plain and simple. You can’t give a team like Duke extra possessions and expect to win,” Oats admitted.
Additionally, turnovers were a concern. Alabama’s fast-paced offense has been a strength all season, but against Duke’s disciplined defense, the Tide committed costly mistakes that disrupted their rhythm.
“We’ve got to take care of the ball better,” Oats said. “When you’re in the Elite Eight, every possession matters. We gave them too many easy points off turnovers.”
2. Praise for Alabama’s Effort and Growth
While disappointed with the loss, Oats made sure to credit his players for their hard work and dedication throughout the season. He highlighted the growth of key contributors and the resilience the team showed throughout the tournament.
“I’m proud of this group. They battled all year, and they’ve put Alabama basketball in a great position moving forward,” he said. “It hurts right now, but I know these guys will use this as motivation.”
3. Looking Ahead: Roster Changes and Future Plans
With the season over, the attention now shifts to the future. Oats acknowledged that Alabama’s roster could see significant changes, with players potentially declaring for the NBA Draft and new recruits coming in.
“We’ll have some decisions to make,” Oats said. “Some guys are ready for the next level, and we’ll support them. At the same time, we’ve got some really talented players coming in who can make an immediate impact.”
Alabama has a strong recruiting class lined up, and Oats emphasized that the program is built for sustained success.
“We’re not going anywhere,” he said. “We’re going to keep pushing forward and building something special.”
The Road to a National Championship
Oats has made it clear that his ultimate goal is to bring a national championship to Tuscaloosa. Alabama has made significant strides under his leadership, and while this season didn’t end the way they wanted, the foundation is strong.
Moving forward, Oats stressed the importance of continued improvement in key areas:
- Defense: Alabama’s high-powered offense has been a staple, but Oats wants to see better defensive consistency.
- Rebounding: Addressing size and physicality in the paint will be a priority.
- Turnover Reduction: Playing fast is part of Alabama’s identity, but minimizing mistakes will be crucial.
Final Thoughts
Despite the disappointment of falling short in the Elite Eight, Alabama basketball remains on an upward trajectory under Nate Oats. His message was clear—this program is not satisfied with just being good. The goal is greatness, and the work to get there starts now.
