Nate Oats Says Rotational Minutes 'Up for Grabs' for Alabama Basketball

The Crimson Tide has rolled to the top of the SEC standings, but Oats is still looking for the best combination of effort on offense and defense.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama may be in first place in the Southeastern Conference after a 6-1 start to league play, but the rotation is still not locked into place.

For the first time this season, Alabama head coach Nate Oats started four guards in Alabama's 109-88 win over LSU with Mark Sears, Aaron Estrada, Rylan Griffen and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. in the guard spots and forward Grant Nelson starting at the five. This shows how much competition there is the frontcourt according to Oats. 

"So those minutes are for sure up for grabs," Oats said Tuesday. "I think even with the guards, if we’re gonna play guards a little bit more, they’re going to have to rest. Who else can play in those minutes?"

Senior Nick Pringle and junior transfer Mohamed Wague had been spitting the starting duties at the five spot prior to the LSU game. Wague has been hampered the last few weeks by a right foot injury that has severely limited his minutes. The freshman trio of Sam Walters, Mouhamed Dioubate and Jarin Stevenson have also seen some rotational minutes in the front court. 

Freshman guard Davin Cosby Jr. has appeared in the least number of games than any other available scholarship player, but even he saw an increased role in the victory over the Tigers with three points and three rebounds in 17 minutes played. 

Oats said there are certain players who have established themselves as the better players on the team and will continue to get starting minutes– presumably Sears, Estrada and Nelson, who have started all 19 games. Griffen also probably falls into that category, having started 17 of 19 games as one of three returning players on this team. 

"But even them, if they're not playing hard on the defensive end, we're not going to leave them in the game," Oats said. "I mean, they're going to start off playing. But we can't leave guys in the game that aren't giving us winning effort if we’re trying to win games."

Alabama's next test will be Wednesday night at 5:30 on the road against an improved Georgia (14-6, 4-3 SEC) team in a venue where the Crimson Tide (14-6, 6-1 SEC) has struggled under Oats. 

"We've got to come with a little bit better focus," Oats said. "I thought offensively, we played maybe as good of a game as we've ever played this year. Last game out defensively, we didn't take the step forward I'd liked. So we'd like to try to do both– get our turnovers down, have a better start to the game. And be much better on defense."

How to Watch: Alabama Basketball at Georgia