Nate Oats' Tough Schedule Pays Off

0:00On March 21st, Alabama basketball coach Nate Oates believes in scheduling the toughest non-conference opponents to get ready for big games. His teams have ranked number one in strength of schedule the last two seasons and sit at number three this year. That tougher approach helps spot weaknesses early and build a stronger squad for conference play and beyond. Right now, Alabama earned a four seed in the 2026 NCAA tournament and crews pass Hofstra 90-70 in the first round. Oates sticks to this strategy, no matter the results, pushing his players against top competition throughout the year. Fans and analysts point to Oates' time at Buffalo as proof it works. There, his team win 32 wins and four losses, top their conference and grab the sixth seed. They even reached the round of 32 after facing high major foes like West Virginia and Syracuse. This season shows the payoff with 16 of Alabama's 31 regular season opponents now in March madness. Oates built that resume by turning down weaker mid-major games in favor of quality matchups.

1:05Looking ahead, Oates expects mid-majors to face tougher paths to deep tournament runs thanks to changes like name, image, and likeness deals. Still, his method keeps Alabama prepared for whatever comes next in the bracket.