Alabama’s exhibition run gave Nate Oats a first real look at a roster that feels deeper than anything he’s had in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide finished the preseason with a win over Auburn in “The Feud” at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, adding that result to earlier exhibition victories against Furman and Ole Miss. Even with that three-game sample, the picture isn’t fully complete: Aden Holloway hasn’t played in any of the exhibitions and will miss the first two regular-season games while serving a five-game suspension, while freshman guard Anderson Diaz is also out to start the season with an injury.
That absence matters because Alabama appears to have a crowded rotation on its hands. There are 12 players who look capable of earning minutes, which gives Oats options but also creates a lot of tough calls. The preseason showed enough to sketch out a projected lineup, but the exact combinations could shift, especially in the frontcourt.
In the backcourt, Holloway and Amari Allen are the obvious starting pair once Holloway is available. Allen projects as the primary initiator even then, while Holloway has already shown in his first two seasons in Tuscaloosa that he can thrive without having to control everything.
With Holloway out early, freshman Qayden Samuels should slide into the starting group and see a heavy workload right away. He flashed his scoring ability during the exhibition slate and adds another perimeter shooting option.
Diaz remains more of a projection than a known commodity since he hasn’t played yet, but Oats has made it clear he expects him to be part of the rotation. When he’s back, he should be the third ball handler behind Allen and Holloway.
On the wing, the competition is just as tight. Cole Cloer is the projected starter, though London Jemison could open the season in that role before Cloer takes over. Cloer stood out in the two exhibition games he played before missing the Auburn game with a minor injury, and he looked like one of Alabama’s most impressive performers.
Behind him, there’s plenty to sort through. Jemison, Jaxon Richardson, and Tarris Bouie are all in the mix for minutes.
Bouie brought real flashes in the exhibition games, even if his offense is still coming along and he can get a little wild. The upside is obvious, though.
He has athleticism, a smooth-looking three-point shot, and plays with the kind of edge coaches usually love.
Richardson only appeared in the final exhibition game, but he may already be Alabama’s best defender, which should help him carve out a role. There’s also a real chance Bouie and Richardson end up battling for some of the same minutes.
The frontcourt may be the most fluid part of the lineup. Boise State transfer Drew Fielder looks like the most likely starter most nights, but Brandon Garrison, Jamarion Davis-Fleming and Keitenn Bristow could all find their way into the starting five depending on the opponent. The bigs were up and down in preseason play, but Alabama does have depth there, and that’s not something this program has had in recent seasons.
Effort and energy will decide a lot in that group. If a big isn’t bringing it on a given night, Oats probably won’t wait around long.
Colins Onyejiaka and TJ St. Louis are bigger bodies who could see spot minutes when the matchup calls for them.
Oats even used St. Louis early against Auburn to deal with Narcisse Ngoy.
Still, both players figure to spend most of the season on the bench.
In Other News...
Former Alabama Assistant Just Addressed Those Power Four Rumors
Charles Huff has been a familiar name in coaching circles for a while, and his current success at Memphis has naturally put him on the radar as Power Four openings start to circulate. The former Alabama assistant spent time at Marshall and Southern Miss before landing the Tigers job, and his name has recently been floated in connection with Baylor, Maryland and NC State as those programs sort through their next steps.
Huff addressed the chatter in a press conference and made it clear he has not been contacted about any of those vacancies. He also pointed out what usually happens in coaching search season, noting that movement tends to come after the year is over, which keeps the focus on the stretch run for now even as the rumor mill keeps turning. [Read more 🡒]
Alabamas Playoff Push Now Rests On These Overlooked Difference-Makers
With Alabama heading into a critical matchup against LSU, the stakes around the final month of the regular season are suddenly hard to miss. The Crimson Tides College Football Playoff hopes could be shaped as much by the players who have been easiest to overlook as by the stars everyone already knows, and that has put a fresh spotlight on the supporting cast around the roster.
Among the names drawing attention are the cornerbacks lined up opposite Zabien Brown, pass rusher Yhonzae Pierre, running back Daniel Hill, offensive lineman Racin Delgatty and quarterback Keelon Russell. Their production, roles and health will matter in different ways as Alabama tries to keep its season on track, and the margin for error only gets smaller from here. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Heads Into LSU Week With One Encouraging Trend Under DeBoer
After eight straight games, Alabama finally gets a bye week to catch its breath, and the timing could not be much better with injuries piling up and a big LSU showdown looming on the other side. Team captain Ryan Coleman-Williams is trending toward playing in the next game, which gives the Tide at least a little optimism as Kalen DeBoer and his staff try to get a battered roster closer to full strength.
The encouraging part for Alabama is what has happened coming out of bye weeks under DeBoer. The Tide have won all four of those games and done so by comfortable margins, a useful trend to lean on as they head into a matchup that should carry real College Football Playoff weight. LSU, coached by Lane Kiffin, will bring plenty of attention and pressure with it, and Alabama's ability to reset this week could matter as much as anything else in what comes next. [Read more 🡒]