Charles Barkley recalls naming Alabama basketball best team in 2022-23: ‘I was wrong’

Charles Barkley named Alabama the best team in college basketball during the 2022-23 season, but the Crimson Tide fell short of a national title.

Despite being the No. 1 team in the country, Alabama lost in the Sweet 16 71-64 to San Diego State. Barkley tried to walk back his comments, sort of, by citing the tournament one-and-done setting.

In the end, the NBA Hall of Famer owned his comments and was surprised Alabama didn’t finish further in the tournament.

“Well, clearly I was wrong,” Barkley joked before his appearance in the Regions Tradition celebrity pro-am in Hoover, via AL.com. “When I made that statement, most people picked them to win the tournament. Listen, like I said, in a one-game scenario, anything can happen. I didn’t know they were gonna use that in a video, but, hey, part of my job is people, whenever I say stuff, they can use it anywhere they want to. I was surprised they didn’t get farther.”

Nate Oats certainly made Alabama a regular contender in the SEC and now nationwide. That was despite the Brandon Miller situation.

“Coach Oats has done a fabulous job,” Barkley said. “I was surprised they didn’t do better. I picked them to win the whole thing. … Alabama should’ve did better but hey, it happens in a one-game scenario. But it’s great to have great basketball here.”

Nevertheless, the agony of defeat didn’t spoil what Oats believed to be one of the most memorable seasons in Alabama history.

“I’ll say it’s one of the most memorable seasons ever,” Oats said. “It’s not easy to win the regular season, the SEC tournament in the same year and make a Sweet 16 run.

“It’s a great group that really loves each other. I mean, they’re going to be close for life, most of them. You know, I love the group, they love each other, and it’s just really disappointing that it’s ending early. But I think it’s one of the most memorable seasons in Alabama history, and they can walk out of here with their heads up.”

Of course, Alabama captured the SEC regular season crown, as well as the SEC Tournament title, that’s nothing to scoff at, but Crimson Tide faithful have to be disappointed in how their season ended. Alabama had a golden opportunity at the Final Four, and subsequently a championship, as all other No. 1 seeds also lost, and only one No. 2 seed remained as well.