Canned questions

[budog]

I want to be very clear when I ask this that by no means am I being critical of Tony or James or for that matter any other reporter in the business. Are you guys given a list of things that cannot be talked about at these pressers?
I ask this because week after week we get these same canned questions tossed to Coach Oats with the same old canned answers tossed back our way.

Don’t get me wrong, I love when questions are asked about player injuries, but I just can’t remember a question about the inability to inbound the basketball and this is not a problem that has just popped up, it seems to have been an issue most of the year, but it really only comes to life after a rare loss.

I TRULY respect what the reporters do for the game we love and to be clear it is something that I could not do. BTW, when did Goodbread start back covering Bama hoops? Is he doing it for ESPN or has he changed jobs again?

ROLL TIDE!!!!

 

[BamaNavyCPO]

Bump

 

[James Benedetto]

Hey Budog, I’ve seen this question come up a few times and I’d like to answer it to the best of my ability.

We aren’t given a list of topics that we can’t ask about at these pressers — thankfully. I think the reason why the questions today felt so repeated were because Georgia is coming to town tomorrow and most of us are looking to write our preview stories over the next 24 hours.

Since we get Nate Oats for 10 minutes and everyone really gets one shot at asking him something, we prioritize what’s important to ask so we can give our readers the best content possible.

Now you make a great point about the inbounds play being lackluster against Tennessee. The reason why I didn’t ask about it was because I felt Oats answered it after the game saying the “19 turnovers were unacceptable,” and then crediting the Volunteers for being the best defensive team in college basketball. We also know Oats, like any coach, loves to keep his strategies close to the vest, so even if we asked him about improving the way the team inbounds, it probably would have been a fairly vague answer.

Coming into today, I needed more quotes about NiMari Burnett for a story I’m working on, so that’s why I asked about him and what Jay Bilas said on the broadcast Wednesday. Tony was thinking along the same lines with his question about Brandon Miller for a story that I’m excited to read when it comes out. Make sure to check back in for that one.

Hopefully that helps answer your question. As always thanks for reading and staying engaged with our coverage, we truly appreciate it!

 

[BamaNavyCPO]

JB, I would still press Oats a little more about the ineffectiveness of inbounding the ball. That problem didn't just arise during the Tenn game, it has plagued the team a few seasons. To be honest, its a little embarassing, in fact, it is almost akin to missing a wide open uncontested layup. JQ is NOT the person to inbound the ball. He is awful at this task.

 

[Codie B]

JB, I would still press Oats a little more about the ineffectiveness of inbounding the ball. That problem didn't just arise during the Tenn game, it has plagued the team a few seasons. To be honest, its a little embarassing, in fact, it is almost akin to missing a wide open uncontested layup. JQ is NOT the person to inbound the ball. He is awful at this task.

That issue got old and ridiculous a few coaches ago. I think it is just part of the job resume now when we interview new prospective coaches.

 

[mtmax]

I believe Coach Oats addressed this in his comments. He was clear that inbounding the ball was an issue that needs to be addressed.