The Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball team just won their first-round game in the NCAA Tournament against Robert Morris Colonials, 90-81. Alabama’s star player, Grant Nelson, had a recent injury during their loss to Florida in the SEC tournament.
He is currently recovering from a knee injury, and before the game, when their head coach Nate Oats was asked if Nelson would be available for the first-round game, his response did not sit right with NBA legend Chris Barkley.
Chris Barkley goes off on Alabama head coach
According to Alabama head coach Nate Oats, Nelson “dodged a bullet” with his recent knee injury, and thankfully it’s not as bad as it could have been. He told truTV broadcast that Nelson was “going to warm up, be dressed, not start the game” but be “available if needed” for the game. But this response did not sit right with analyst and NBA legend Chris Barkley, who hated how callous Oats was with his decision about whether or not Nelson should be playing (via Colin Gay).
“First of all, Sears, he’s terrific. But I thought Nelson was the reason why they went all the way to the final four. He was tremendous. I don’t like when they phrase it, because, number one, if you’re going to warm up, you’re warm. Now you’re going to go back to the bench and cool off, with a leg injury, that makes no sense.”
Grant Nelson going through warmups. Looks like his left knee is pretty heavily wrapped underneath the sleeve pic.twitter.com/BRVt4hNDJM
— Katie Windham (@katiewindham_) March 21, 2025
He did not like the indecisive way the coach has responded to Nelson’s availability for the NCAA Tournament game, adding:
“They say he’s not starting, but he’s available. No. You either play or you can’t play. I think that leaves too much doubt in the player and the team. I would love for them to say if he’s just not ready, he’s not ready. Same thing about Cooper Flagg. You can never leave it up to the player. Players always want to play. A coach, you’re the leader of men. You make decisions.”
While Barkley is right, and it would be better to have a definite decision on who is or isn’t playing the game, coach Oats definitely had his reason to keep Nelson on the bench, even if he didn’t start. Young players are always itching to prove their worth with these games, and fans were also waiting to see him back on court after the injury. So this was a compromise on both fronts, without putting too much pressure on Nelson.
Alabama moves to the second round after defeating Robert Morris
The Alabama Crimson Tides won the first round against Robert Morris Colonials with a 90-81 scoreboard. They are currently on a 26-8 run, and Mark Sears was their top scorer in the game with 22 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds. Amarion Dickerson for the Colonials was the highest scorer with 25 points, but Alabama managed to maintain their lead in both the first and second half against their opponents.
#2 Alabama DEFEATS #15 Robert Morris 90-81 in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament 🐘
Stat Leaders:
Points: Mark Sears – 22
Rebounds: Mo Dioubate – 10
Assists: Mark Sears – 10The Crimson Tide will play next on Sunday (3/23) vs. the winner of #7 Saint Mary’s/#10 Vanderbilt pic.twitter.com/hkTAE8ZC8b
— Recruits Bama (@RecruitsBama) March 21, 2025
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