Thank You Coach Oats - Player/Team Development

[BamaInCummingGA]

I debated on whether or not to post this in the thread on the UT game but think it deserves to Stand on it's own


Coach Oats I would like to thank you for developing this team.
In particular in reference to shooting. In the past a coach would pull a player for missing shots (even if they were good shots that just didn't fall) but Coach Oats leaves the players in a let's them work thru it and build up their confidence instead of tearing it down.
We are also learning to play as a team and getting into a good rhythm together.
And seemingly, from last night's performance, we are learning how to close out games.
Under the last three head coaches we likely lose last night's game but Coach Oats let them persevere and didn't just start jerking players out because of a slump.
As someone else noted, we are getting better rotations and the team seems to be clearly buying in and improving.
Will there still be bumps in the road? Likely, but Coach Oats will continue to develop this team and we will likely continue to see improvements that can be the start of a resurgence in Alabama basketball.

Thank You, Coach Oats.

 

[mlingerfelt31]

Well said

 

[Bazza]

You have the best coach in the conference.

Really nice to see the results coming through for you guys.

Look forward to our game on Tuesday!

 

[CoolBreeze]

Best thread on the board. I believe in Coach. The best thing is that we are at the very beginning of an era. Gonna be a fun ride, RTR!!!

 

[bamamoss2]

It was nice to see the "Blue Collar" effort on the road vs a top 10 opponent. Hope the effort continues. Congrats on a big win.

 

[mlingerfelt31]

Next 5 are going to be tough Florida we need to beat them at home it has been awhile since we beaten them at home. time to get monkey off our back. Auburn at Auburn and then Kentucky at Kentucky even though they are struggling right now but they will be ready, Arkansas another we havent beat in awhile time to get the monkey off our back, L$U AT L$U. overall we should have a winning season.

 

[BamaMoon]

Good OP. I agree.

We also had the better athletes in the game too. We've always been able to get athletic players but if CNO can develop them and turn them into athletic basketball players, WATCH OUT!

 

[NationalTitles18]

One thing I've noticed each year is that the team in pre-conference games seems to be running like mad and often out of control and then they seems to calm it down a little. It was VERY noticeable last night. Is this a strategy to get them to play faster and get the game to slow down for them? Or is it just me seeing something that isn't there?

 

[BamaNation]

Huge win. I didn't get to see last night but greatly anticipate good things to come with this team.

 

[BamaMoon]

One thing I've noticed each year is that the team in pre-conference games seems to be running like mad and often out of control and then they seems to calm it down a little. It was VERY noticeable last night. Is this a strategy to get them to play faster and get the game to slow down for them? Or is it just me seeing something that isn't there?

No, I think it's a good observation. In previous game threads we've talked about the difference in going fast and being so fast you get reckless and out of control. It's been an issue in almost every game so far.

While I think CNO wants his teams to play fast there are times when the game dictates you slow down some.

Ironically, when the UT game dictated we slow down some, it helped us slow down enough that we made an extra pass more and it turned out to be the biggest difference in the game. When we started playing faster in the second half UT couldn't adjust.

 

[TiderJack]

Next 5 are going to be tough Florida we need to beat them at home it has been awhile since we beaten them at home. time to get monkey off our back. Auburn at Auburn and then Kentucky at Kentucky even though they are struggling right now but they will be ready, Arkansas another we havent beat in awhile time to get the monkey off our back, L$U AT L$U. overall we should have a winning season.

Last year's game against UF gave me a glimpse of the future. We were running, pumping and making 3's and had them down over 20 on the road and then it all crumbled in a comeback win. I think with Johnson out we can certainly win this game.

 

[BAMAVILLE]

No, I think it's a good observation. In previous game threads we've talked about the difference in going fast and being so fast you get reckless and out of control. It's been an issue in almost every game so far.

While I think CNO wants his teams to play fast there are times when the game dictates you slow down some.

Ironically, when the UT game dictated we slow down some, it helped us slow down enough that we made an extra pass more and it turned out to be the biggest difference in the game. When we started playing faster in the second half UT couldn't adjust.

And they were able to calm down and ease into playing faster. They didn't rush the mechanics of shooting the 3 ball and it paid off with them making more. Might be a good strategy going forward. Unfortunately they may not be able to do that with LSU and Arky but there's a greater chance it will work against more of the teams we play. We will see tomorrow.

 

[imauafan]

Part of the development will be consistency and being able to handle success. We never could handle success under xCAJ and we had issues with that last year as well. Every year we would win a few games in a row, possibly pulling an upset along the way, and has everyone excited and then the team would collapse. I'm not predicting that to happen, we just have to be careful that we don't get too high when we win a game or two and we don't get too low we lose a game or two. That applies to both players and fans.

 

[BamaBooey]

I'm reserving my judgement until March, though my judgement probably doesn't matter. That being said, if they continue the way they're playing, then they should hard to beat; and I sincerely hope they continue the way they're playing.

 

[BamaMoon]

I'm pretty much locked in on just what is happening to Bama basketball and I don't watch too many other games.

That said, I'd be pretty surprised if there are more than 2 or 3 guys in the nation who have been developed like Herb Jones has developed in the last couple of years.

He always had a nose for the ball, wasn't afraid to break down and play defense and take charges, but his offensive skills were nowhere near major college level. Matter of fact, I think I probably said more than once he was a terrible shooter AND HE WAS. I mean, at one point a year or two back he was a bricklayer.

But not only has CNO helped him understand how to get to the rim with his athletic ability, he's actually a decent shooting threat now. It's really a remarkable development!

 

[mlingerfelt31]

Greg Byrne needs lock him up at the end of season

 

[B1GTide]

Greg Byrne needs lock him up at the end of season

You really can't keep coaches past their desire to stay any more. Pay him and hope that the big bball schools don't come calling.

 

[imauafan]

You really can't keep coaches past their desire to stay any more. Pay him and hope that the big bball schools don't come calling.

Agreed. I think CNO has done a fantastic job and I hope he continues doing a fantastic job for many more years. However, how many times has a coach been locked up after a great season and then things went downhill and it didn't not benefit either party to be locked up with the other.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

I'm pretty much locked in on just what is happening to Bama basketball and I don't watch too many other games.

That said, I'd be pretty surprised if there are more than 2 or 3 guys in the nation who have been developed like Herb Jones has developed in the last couple of years.

He always had a nose for the ball, wasn't afraid to break down and play defense and take charges, but his offensive skills were nowhere near major college level. Matter of fact, I think I probably said more than once he was a terrible shooter AND HE WAS. I mean, at one point a year or two back he was a bricklayer.

But not only has CNO helped him understand how to get to the rim with his athletic ability, he's actually a decent shooting threat now. It's really a remarkable development!

He still struggle to finish at the rim though. He's a work in progress. I'm more impressed with what he has done with John Petty, IMO.

 

[mlingerfelt31]

After beating Kentucky CNO needs to beat Arkansas and TAMU only 2 teams he hasnt beat yet.