Thoughts after the (very very bad) loss to Georgia

[Jordan Harper]

Inexcusable. Bad. Horrific. Deflating. Those are are terms that can be used for that loss to Georgia. Alabama has zero leadership, at times it looks like no desire, and its a lot of selfish play on the court. You have guys that were looking to transfer, entering the draft, and just wanting NIL money that came back and you can tell there is a team chemistry problem. They do not play well together and definitely do not play defense at all. This is a game Alabama had to have leading up to murderers row starting this weekend with Baylor.

It is very simple on why this team has been so bad of late and that is they don't play for each other. They aren'y pushing each other or giving it their all every game. They can score no problem, but if you let the other team score more then you don't win games. Plain and simple. Oats has tried to fire them up and get them motivated, but as a coach, I know that you can only do so much. This team will likely have a large turnover next year, but this team can still piece it together and go on a run this season. We have seen how good this team can be, but for them to get back to that they have to look themselves in the mirror and question "Am I playing as hard as I can?". Next game up: #4 Baylor

 

[OF3052]

This team looks like a Saturday afternoon pickup team down at the REC. The kind of team where players are of the mindset that "I am taking MY shot no matter what" and "maybe I will actually play a little defense this time down".

 

[pwestbro61]

Spot on Harper. You might receive the wrath of G.O.A.T. who never blames the players for hardly any issues.
Great post- way to tell the truth.

 

[vegas man]

Like Saban says, 'You need to create value for yourself with your play'. This is not a chicken before the egg debate. NIL and draft money does not come before on the court success. Smh.

 

[rsaxoniii]

I feel like they think they got the game under control until it's not and they're like oh crap, we just lost.

 

[frazor]

I feel like they think they got the game under control until it's not and they're like oh crap, we just lost.

I agree and that 100% should not be the case this late in the season. If you're 20 games in and upperclassmen are needing to be benched you are swimming against the current from here on out. What's so mind boggling is none of these guys have improved their stock at all so why are they taking their foot off of the gas??? You've worked so hard all of your life and now that you're on the 18th tee you're taking your ball and going home. Very telling.

 

[BamaNavyCPO]

I recall one play against Jawjah where we had a 3-on-1 fastbreak and it resulted in a TO. Instead of filling lanes, they bunched up, so one guy could defend against 3. I think it ended with a charging foul.

 

[BeastofBourbon]

I recall one play against Jawjah where we had a 3-on-1 fastbreak and it resulted in a TO. Instead of filling lanes, they bunched up, so one guy could defend against 3. I think it ended with a charging foul.

If it's the play I'm thinking of, it was Ellis that called for the charge.

 

[BeastofBourbon]

NIL deals? Who on this team is getting any legitimate NIL money? Makes no sense unless they're sponsored by a brick masonry company.

 

[G.O.A.T-23]

Inexcusable. Bad. Horrific. Deflating. Those are are terms that can be used for that loss to Georgia. Alabama has zero leadership, at times it looks like no desire, and its a lot of selfish play on the court. You have guys that were looking to transfer, entering the draft, and just wanting NIL money that came back and you can tell there is a team chemistry problem. They do not play well together and definitely do not play defense at all. This is a game Alabama had to have leading up to murderers row starting this weekend with Baylor.

It is very simple on why this team has been so bad of late and that is they don't play for each other. They aren'y pushing each other or giving it their all every game. They can score no problem, but if you let the other team score more then you don't win games. Plain and simple. Oats has tried to fire them up and get them motivated, but as a coach, I know that you can only do so much. This team will likely have a large turnover next year, but this team can still piece it together and go on a run this season. We have seen how good this team can be, but for them to get back to that they have to look themselves in the mirror and question "Am I playing as hard as I can?". Next game up: #4 Baylor

Oats is the one getting paid millions, he is supposed to be the leader, figure the shit out. Stop throwing the players under the bus after every loss and figure out how he can get the most out of his players.

No one and I mean NO ONE was talking all this extra stuff when they started the season out great and beat the Zag and Houston. Now all of a sudden NIL is a problem, not buying that one bit. hell, I can't think of an NIL deal any of them have, now its supposed to be a problem.

 

[pwestbro61]

Oats is the one getting paid millions, he is supposed to be the leader, figure the shit out. Stop throwing the players under the bus after every loss and figure out how he can get the most out of his players.

No one and I mean NO ONE was talking all this extra stuff when they started the season out great and beat the Zag and Houston. Now all of a sudden NIL is a problem, not buying that one bit. hell, I can't think of an NIL deal any of them have, now its supposed to be a problem.

Just another crappy opinion. Harper’s take is spot on. Everyone can admit it except you with your “‘protect the player” obsession. You also seem to have an issue with certain people who make a bunch of money.

 

[G.O.A.T-23]

Just another crappy opinion. Harper’s take is spot on. Everyone can admit it except you with your “‘protect the player” obsession. You also seem to have an issue with certain people who make a bunch of money.

Everyone except me huh? Funny that there are more than a few on this board who agrees with me in threads such as this, but I guess they don't count.

I have no issues with people who make a bunch of money. I might not make millions but my wife and I make enough to put us in the top 3% in the state of Alabama. We live comfortable, not a want in the world honestly. I just point out the fact that these are college kids not getting paid while the coach is the one making million and he refuse to look in the mirror. He blames the players but has yet to say "I have to do a better job." Fact is, he has to do a better job...

 

[D Isaiah T Billings-Clyde7]

Everyone except me huh? Funny that there are more than a few on this board who agrees with me in threads such as this, but I guess they don't count.

I have no issues with people who make a bunch of money. I might not make millions but my wife and I make enough to put us in the top 3% in the state of Alabama. We live comfortable, not a want in the world honestly. I just point out the fact that these are college kids not getting paid while the coach is the one making million and he refuse to look in the mirror. He blames the players but has yet to say "I have to do a better job." Fact is, he has to do a better job...

He literally put it on himself after the Georgia game. How can you not see there are leadership issues on this team? It’s not all on the coach to force that. The players have to take that responsibility head on and buy in.

Look at the football team this year. This years team had issues behind the scenes in the locker room. Disgruntled players, bad practices, letting up in games etc etc. you know who fixed it? Was is Saban? No, it was our best player Will Anderson.

the problem with this team is our best players are the ones that need to be led instead of stepping up and leading themselves.

Oats has plenty of blame on himself but to act like getting players to try is 100% on him is ridiculous and I think you know that.

 

[D Isaiah T Billings-Clyde7]

I believe this team built up toward that Gonzaga/Houston back to back all off-season and thought they were the shit after they won 2 great games. I think there has been a let down mentally after those 2 games and They have not responded well to the adversity. Now pressure is building and confidence is gone.

I don’t believe the guys just don’t Care but you can see when they turn the switch on and when it’s off.

 

[G.O.A.T-23]

He literally put it on himself after the Georgia game. How can you not see there are leadership issues on this team? It’s not all on the coach to force that. The players have to take that responsibility head on and buy in.

Look at the football team this year. This years team had issues behind the scenes in the locker room. Disgruntled players, bad practices, letting up in games etc etc. you know who fixed it? Was is Saban? No, it was our best player Will Anderson.

the problem with this team is our best players are the ones that need to be led instead of stepping up and leading themselves.

Oats has plenty of blame on himself but to act like getting players to try is 100% on him is ridiculous and I think you know that.

After the UGA game was the first time I can recall him ever taking some of the blame. Even then he said he has to get the right players on the floor. Nothing about his lack of calling TO when the other team start going on a run. Or not drawing up plays designed to get the ball to the basket after seeing 5,6,7 straight 3s brick off the rim. Maybe change up the defense. Maybe not have 4 guards on the floor when you having a hard time rebounding. I am not saying the player themselves hold no accountability for this team's struggles, but I am saying Oats shares just as much of the blame. If he is as good as he thinks he is, he should be able to figure this shit out and turn things around.

 

[grichards56]

Just another crappy opinion. Harper’s take is spot on. Everyone can admit it except you with your “‘protect the player” obsession. You also seem to have an issue with certain people who make a bunch of money.

Yes. This team has an attitude issue (for whatever reason), or a lack of talent. I ,for one, think that there is plenty of talent.

 

[brown155]

Like Saban says, 'You need to create value for yourself with your play'. This is not a chicken before the egg debate. NIL and draft money does not come before on the court success. Smh.

Unfortunately for at least one… it seems to be a chicken before the egg situation. JD is a first rounder no matter what it seems. I don’t quite get it. He’s probably a good kid, but I wouldn’t draft him after next season.

 

[BeastofBourbon]

He literally put it on himself after the Georgia game. How can you not see there are leadership issues on this team? It’s not all on the coach to force that. The players have to take that responsibility head on and buy in.

Look at the football team this year. This years team had issues behind the scenes in the locker room. Disgruntled players, bad practices, letting up in games etc etc. you know who fixed it? Was is Saban? No, it was our best player Will Anderson.

the problem with this team is our best players are the ones that need to be led instead of stepping up and leading themselves.

Oats has plenty of blame on himself but to act like getting players to try is 100% on him is ridiculous and I think you know that.

Lot of similarities between the football team and this basketball team. Memphis game was the equivalent of football's aTm loss. As you mentioned after the aTm loss, guys like Will Anderson became alpha dogs and got the team focused and righted the ship. This basketball team has no Will Anderson. Herb was that guy last year, but nobody has stepped up to fill that role. Guys like Shack and Q just appear to be going through the motions waiting for whatever the next step is for them, whether that be pro ball or the portal. Then you've got guys like Ellis, Miles, and Gary that don't appear to have developed as much as we would have expected from last season. Then you've got the Bediako and Gurley who I wonder why in the world they are even on the floor at all. I've been critical of JD, but I think he's just in over his head at this moment, and is nowhere near ready for this level of basketball. I don't really question his effort.

Bottom line there is just no chemistry or sense of urgency with this bunch, and I just see a bunch of guys that look like they've put themselves over the team. Just my completely uneducated opinion.

 

[D Isaiah T Billings-Clyde7]

Lot of similarities between the football team and this basketball team. Memphis game was the equivalent of football's aTm loss. As you mentioned after the aTm loss, guys like Will Anderson became alpha dogs and got the team focused and righted the ship. This basketball team has no Will Anderson. Herb was that guy last year, but nobody has stepped up to fill that role. Guys like Shack and Q just appear to be going through the motions waiting for whatever the next step is for them, whether that be pro ball or the portal. Then you've got guys like Ellis, Miles, and Gary that don't appear to have developed as much as we would have expected from last season. Then you've got the Bediako and Gurley who I wonder why in the world they are even on the floor at all. I've been critical of JD, but I think he's just in over his head at this moment, and is nowhere near ready for this level of basketball. I don't really question his effort.

Bottom line there is just no chemistry or sense of urgency with this bunch, and I just see a bunch of guys that look like they've put themselves over the team. Just my completely uneducated opinion.

Yep I definitely see a lot of that. I don’t think the guys really get it. I seriously wonder if they just thought they had arrived after that Gonzaga Houston stretch and can’t get that edge back. Idk it’s hard to pinpoint the problem but leadership seems to be part of it

 

[Sweetlou2.0]

Oats is the one getting paid millions, he is supposed to be the leader, figure the shit out. Stop throwing the players under the bus after every loss and figure out how he can get the most out of his players.

No one and I mean NO ONE was talking all this extra stuff when they started the season out great and beat the Zag and Houston. Now all of a sudden NIL is a problem, not buying that one bit. hell, I can't think of an NIL deal any of them have, now its supposed to be a problem.

Lot of similarities between the football team and this basketball team. Memphis game was the equivalent of football's aTm loss. As you mentioned after the aTm loss, guys like Will Anderson became alpha dogs and got the team focused and righted the ship. This basketball team has no Will Anderson. Herb was that guy last year, but nobody has stepped up to fill that role. Guys like Shack and Q just appear to be going through the motions waiting for whatever the next step is for them, whether that be pro ball or the portal. Then you've got guys like Ellis, Miles, and Gary that don't appear to have developed as much as we would have expected from last season. Then you've got the Bediako and Gurley who I wonder why in the world they are even on the floor at all. I've been critical of JD, but I think he's just in over his head at this moment, and is nowhere near ready for this level of basketball. I don't really question his effort.

Bottom line there is just no chemistry or sense of urgency with this bunch, and I just see a bunch of guys that look like they've put themselves over the team. Just my completely uneducated opinion.

I just don’t quite get why some of you guys lump Quinerly in with Shack. I’ll admit… Q is struggling, but he’s never done anything to suggest he’s selfish or not team oriented. This is a kid who accepted a bench role all season last year, despite being the clear best player on the team. Won the sec tournament mvp, didn’t even put his name in nba or transfer portal, and even suggested to Oats to bring him off the bench this season. I agree with much of the criticism of this team, but Quinerly’s name seems to get mentioned as a self centered player with zero evidence

 

[BamaNavyCPO]

I just don’t quite get why some of you guys lump Quinerly in with Shack. I’ll admit… Q is struggling, but he’s never done anything to suggest he’s selfish or not team oriented. This is a kid who accepted a bench role all season last year, despite being the clear best player on the team. Won the sec tournament mvp, didn’t even put his name in nba or transfer portal, and even suggested to Oats to bring him off the bench this season. I agree with much of the criticism of this team, but Quinerly’s name seems to get mentioned as a self centered player with zero evidence

Well said!

 

[Sheerperfection]

Agree Harper this loss is inexcusable and is a horrific loss. Zero reasons we should have lost this game.

 

[cola68]

Oats is the one getting paid millions, he is supposed to be the leader, figure the shit out. Stop throwing the players under the bus after every loss and figure out how he can get the most out of his players.

No one and I mean NO ONE was talking all this extra stuff when they started the season out great and beat the Zag and Houston. Now all of a sudden NIL is a problem, not buying that one bit. hell, I can't think of an NIL deal any of them have, now its supposed to be a problem.

Leadership vacuum has been present since the preseason… I’ve been hearing about it from a source close to the team since then and have posted a few times.

Shackleford being in the portal should have been the first clue.

Winning cures all woes though