Nate Oats’ former rival didn’t pick Alabama basketball to start its appearance at the Players Era Festival with a win.
Bruce Pearl — who handed his previous job as the head coach of Auburn to his son, Steven, ahead of the 2025-26 season — told TNT ahead of the No. 9 Crimson Tide’s game against No. 10 Gonzaga that he was taking the underdog.
“I think the matchup goes to Gonzaga tonight. They’re too big, they’re too physical and I think they’ll be able to guard Alabama,” Pearl said.
Pearl eventually diverted from the Xs and Os to give Oats his flowers, but quickly wilted them with his final pick of Gonzaga coach Mark Few.
While Pearl said Oats has “done an unbelievable job at Alabama,” it was hard to miss the backhanded compliments.
“Nate knows where he comes from. He’s a high school coach,” Pearl said.
Oats hasn’t been a high school coach since his final season at Romulus High in 2013, which he left to take an assistant position at Buffalo, where he eventually became head coach.
“He’s on the brink of becoming known as one of the best coaches in the country,” Pearl continued. “Mark Few is already there. So (Oats) recognizes he’s got a chance to play against a Hall of Famer and a legend.”
While Oats isn’t in the Hall of Fame, he’s seen Alabama lead the country in scoring and make five consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, and has often been credited with changing the style of play and offense that college basketball uses today.
“Nate Oats is gonna remember the outcome of this one way more than Mark Few is,” Pearl said.
Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats reflects on loss to Purdue
Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats wasn’t happy with the rebounding or the toughness of the Tide in an 87-80 loss to Purdue.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at [email protected].
