It has been a long time since Alabama basketball is a must - see event for me. Last year was eye opening. Nate Oats is a true basketball coach with unique skills gametime and in recruiting. He has Tide Basketball rolling with an expectation for a higher ceiling to come. Who would have thought that Alabama Basketball would be in the national picture in both competition and recruiting just a few short years ago. Coach Oats harkens back to the Wimp days. Others coaches have done good things for a season or two, Coach Oats not only maintains but improves year to year. Oats isn't close to Saban in terms of legacy, but the potential is there and that makes the SEC Basketball community shudder.