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Alabama head basketball coach Nate Oats has become the target of online criticism after being seen pushing an opposing player during a game against Missouri. The incident happened during a timeout break while his team huddled up on the bench.
A Tiger player came over to the Crimson Tide sideline, to which Oats took offense. He then forced the player out with a shove.
We’ve seen this happen time and time again in college basketball.
A player from the other side somehow winds up in an opposing team’s gathering, either to listen in on upcoming play calls or just frustrate their foe.
In most cases, players in the huddle or the officiating crew will force the culprit to leave.
On Tuesday, Oats interjected himself.
Nate Oats pushing players. pic.twitter.com/XiCyTLpbO3
— CHANNEL (@CHANNEL_TN_) January 17, 2024
He might’ve been trying to protect his players given both teams looked to be heated from the play that immediately preceded. The shove certainly didn’t calm anyone down, however.
Jawing continued as the sides got separated, and the game would soon continue.
Alabama won the SEC contest, 93-75.
Still, many around the sport believed Nate Oats overstepped with the push.
Hoops analyst Seth Davis said, “This is an absolute no-no. The SEC should fine Nate Oats. You can NOT put your hands on another team’s player.”
Others agreed.
The coach commented on the incident after the game, saying, “He seems like a great kid. It was an unfortunate situation, and I apologized for it.”
Mizzou’s head coach confirmed that apology, though he believed a technical foul should’ve been called.
Dennis Gates said Nate Oats apologized for the push in the huddle. Here’s Gates’ complete answer on it pic.twitter.com/BHx28rCvrH
— Nick Kelly (@_NickKelly) January 17, 2024
Oats has been scrutinized often given all that transpired with his 2022 Alabama basketball team. His emotion is often on full display, though, as he backs his players.
The game prior, he was heard singling out a South Carolina opponent for pregame comments which didn’t directly reference the Tide, but he took as disrespect.
While drama has followed Alabama throughout Oats’ tenure, so, too, has success.
The Crimson Tide have won the SEC regular season crown two of the last three seasons, earning a No. 1 seed in last year’s Big Dance. He’s hoping to follow it up with another championship, and currently sits at 4-0 in conference play.