Jimmy Dykes believes football season ending helps basketball crowd at Coleman Coliseum

Nate Oats has done a great job in Tuscaloosa, making Alabama a consistent top program in the SEC and college basketball. But when talking about the athletic department’s roots, it will always go back to football. Even as the Crimson Tide transitions from Nick Saban to Kalen DeBoer, football will forever be king.

ESPN’s Jimmy Dykes does believe football has an impact on the basketball program and specifically, the crowd at Coleman Coliseum. The arena has been rocking through the first half against LSU and has become a fortress this season. Dykes has recently noticed a better crowd and thinks football season ending played a role.

“This building is as good as any building in the SEC once football season ends,” Dykes said during the LSU game. “Until then, you can come in here and get a win. After football season, this place is a hotbox.”

The comments were a compliment from Dykes, laughing with play-by-play commentator Tom Hart through them. In fact, the setting at Coleman Coliseum has been quite the point of conversation this season, with Jay Williams calling the program out in November.

Williams called the atmosphere a tennis match but as usual, he was a good sport about some of the pushback. When he came back for Wednesday’s game against Auburn, Oats greeted him with tennis balls and the Alabama student section embraced it.

Alabama seeing success following the end of football season

For Alabama, football season ended on Jan. 1 against Michigan in the Rose Bowl. The basketball team has played three games at home since, having two blowouts against Missouri and South Carolina while also beating Auburn.

The lone loss in Tuscaloosa this season came during the nonconference portion of the season against Clemson in the ACC/SEC Challenge. To an effect, that confirms Dykes’ thoughts with the game taking place on Nov. 28 — right in between the Iron Bowl and the SEC Championship.

Alabama may not be the only program that has this crowd situation, especially in the SEC.

Basketball is certainly on the rise in the conference, with On3’s James Fletcher having nine teams projected to be in the NCAA Tournament. The number goes up to 11 if you include Texas and Oklahoma, joining the SEC next season.

Football will always be the top dog, though. Having basketball being the main event plus students returning from winter break has certainly helped crowds and atmosphere.