'This would be the biggest win in the history of Alabama basketball': Nate Oats on mental preparation for Elite 8
The Tide are preparing to face 6-seed Clemson Saturday for a chance at the Final Four.
The Tigers upset second-seeded Arizona 77-72 in their Sweet 16 game at Crypto.com Arena.
Later that same night, Alabama beat 1-seed North Carolina in the last minute of the game. The final score was 89-87.
>> GAME RECAP: Alabama beats North Carolina 89-87 in last minute of Sweet 16
The Team said that they played well against the Tar Heels because they've been shooting around and have confidence in their abilities, according to Ryan Griffin. They know that they need to shoot the type of shots that they need to win, and they were able to do what they needed to do.
"This is one that I'm probably glad that we played them early," Nate Oats said.
He noted that they've grown since they lost to Clemson, but they need to have grown more than Clemson did over this season.
The Tide made their only other Elite 8 appearance in 2004 under coach Mark Gottfried, losing to UConn. Alabama, best known for its football program, has never made the Final Four. Neither has Clemson.
"This would be the biggest win in the history of Alabama basketball," Oats said.
He said he is making sure that he is the most prepared person going into the game so that the team can rely on him.
He told the team to get locked in; avoid social media and other distractions; and prepare to win. Nate Oats referenced Nick Saban's comments about social media being rat poison and said that he doesn't keep social apps on his phone.
米兰体育 13 Sports Director Ryan Hennessy and Sports Reporter Julian Mitchell are in Los Angeles. Watch 米兰体育 13 Saturday for their Elite 8 coverage.
This article contains information from The Associated Press.
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