Alabama Faces Frontcourt Crisis After Charles Bediako Setback
The Alabama Crimson Tide took a significant hit this week with the news that Charles Bediako will be out for the foreseeable future. And in a season where depth in the paint was already a question mark, losing their most reliable big man leaves head coach Nate Oats with a serious challenge: how to keep Alabama’s high-octane system running without a true presence in the middle.
Frontcourt Depth? What Depth?
With Bediako sidelined and Keitenn Bristow’s status still uncertain, Alabama’s frontcourt rotation is paper-thin. Aiden Sherrell is now the lone reliable option at the '5' spot, and if he gets into foul trouble or needs a breather, the Tide are down to Noah Williamson and Taylor Bol Bowen.
Bol Bowen, while long and athletic, is more of a stretch four than a true center. He’s not built to bang with the SEC’s 240-pound bruisers down low. That leaves Williamson, the Bucknell transfer, as the only other big body available-and so far, he hasn’t exactly seized the opportunity.
Williamson’s offensive numbers tell the story. He’s shooting just 27.8% from the field and a rough 10% from beyond the arc on 20 attempts.
And while Oats encourages his guys to let it fly when they’re open, it might be time to reconsider that green light in Williamson’s case. Defensively, he’s struggled to hold his ground, and outside of a few bright spots, hasn’t been a consistent presence on that end either.
Can Small Ball Hold Up?
This is where things get tricky. Alabama’s 5-Out offense is built to space the floor, open up driving lanes, and put pressure on defenses with pace and perimeter shooting.
When it’s clicking, it’s a thing of beauty-fast, fluid, and nearly impossible to guard. But it’s also a system that leans heavily on shot-making and tempo.
And without a true big man, Alabama’s margin for error shrinks significantly.
Going small with Bol Bowen or even Amari Allen at the '5' can work in stretches, especially when the Tide are hitting shots. But when the shots stop falling-and every team goes cold at some point-rebounding becomes a major liability. Opponents with physical bigs can feast on the glass and dominate the paint, and Alabama’s upcoming schedule is full of teams that can do just that.
Defensive Intensity is Non-Negotiable
With the frontcourt in flux, Alabama’s path forward has to start on the defensive end. That means ramping up intensity, staying disciplined, and avoiding foul trouble-especially in key matchups against Arkansas, Tennessee, and Auburn. Those games are going to test Alabama’s toughness, and without Bediako anchoring the paint, the Tide will need a collective effort to protect the rim and clean the glass.
Taylor Bol Bowen’s status remains uncertain heading into Wednesday’s game against Ole Miss. He’s been limited by injuries, playing just two minutes against Florida, sitting out against Texas A&M, and logging seven minutes against Auburn. If he can get healthy and contribute meaningful minutes, that would go a long way in helping Alabama weather this storm.
The Road Ahead
There’s no sugarcoating it-losing Bediako is a major blow. But Nate Oats has built this program on pace, space, and relentless energy.
That identity doesn’t change, even with the roster limitations. What does change is the margin for error.
Alabama is going to need more from its role players, smarter shot selection, and a renewed commitment to team defense if it wants to stay in the SEC and national conversation.
The blueprint is still there. But with the paint now unguarded, the Tide will need to find new ways to protect their house.