Nick Saban Shows Support For Alabama Basketball, Nate Oats Ahead of NCAA Sweet 16, Visits With Team
The Alabama Crimson Tide football team began its spring practice on Monday and with it came the first Nick Saban press conference of the new year. While meeting with the media Saban addressed the recent arrest of freshman Tony Mitchell by saying, "there's no such thing as 'wrong place, wrong time,".
The internet and certain media outlets tried to read into Saban's comments, and interpret them as a shot across the bow to head men's basketball coach Nate Oats, after his initial comments about superstar Brandon Miller's involvement in the death of Jamea Harris.
Saban put those rumors to bed on Wednesday as he visited the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team at the end of practice before the team leaves for the Sweet 16 in Louisville.
The seven-time national champion shook hands, took photos and gave the players and program a pep-talk before they hit the road to face the fifth seeded San Diego State Aztecs.
Saban has always shown appreciation for basketball as he notoriously participates in his own, "Noon Time Basketball League" for recreation. He has shown up to a handful of the Tide's Saturday SEC matchups, including Feb. 25 when Bama took down Arkansas in an 86-83 classic.
Saban and Oats have been seen getting along since Oats was hired away from Buffalo. To suggest that Saban took a cheap shot at the Alabama basketball program or Oats on Monday, especially considering all that the team has dealt with this season, is absurd.
The Crimson Tide will leave for Louisville on Wednesday and meet with the media at the Sweet 16 on Thursday.
Saban showed his support once again to Oats and his program by stopping by to offer words of wisdom as the Tide has just a few remaining steps to reach its final goal.
Alabama will play San Diego State on Friday at 5:30 p.m. CT in the Sweet 16.