BAMA LOSES A SECOND PLAYER TO AN ACL INJURY…

       If it wasn’t for bad luck, Nat Oats and the Alabama basketball team would have no luck at all. Juwan Gary, the Tide’s highest-ranked freshman, underwent knee surgery on Thursday and will miss his freshman season. JG will still have four years of eligibility at Alabama. James Rojas, the 6-8 JUCO 1^st team All-American tore his ACL earlier this summer. The pair were considered to be top players in Oat’s new offensive game plan. Each of these Tide players is extremely versatile.  Versatility is important in the run and shoot offense Nat Oats brings to Tuscaloosa.

     Oats has gained strong support from the Tide faithful.  The loss of two big parts of his roster will make Oat’s job even more difficult, and it was a pretty tough already.  At times it seems the Alabama basketball program is cursed. The SEC is may have the best coaches, top to bottom, in the NCAA. Oats needs a few things to break his way. I am impressed with Coach Oats. He says all the right things. He seeming does all the things to make a program successful. Convincing Kira Lewis and John Petty to stay with  Alabama was big. Their choice to remain at Alabama was like signing two five-star recruits to Oats. The comments made by potential recruits and the families of those recruits are impressive.

     Coach Oats does the one thing a coach needs to do in recruiting. He gets a top-notch five-star 

players to listen to what he says.  An example is Isiah Jackson. Jackson is a five-star and has three schools in his final three. Alabama, Kentucky, and Syracuse are hoping to ink thee 6-9 PF. I think Bama is the team to beat right now. Just to be in the final three with schools like Kentucky and Syracuse is big news for ‘Bama. If you listen to what the player and his family say you get a good understanding of why Oats is making some noise. The player likes the offense, the opportunity to play early, and believes that the coach has his best interest for his future. The father has said some great things about ‘Bama and lauds Oats.  I have talked with five players being recruited by Alabama.  Stay tuned for some other news next week. Bama leads at this point for two five-star players.