Nate Oats: I told our guys I don't mind getting everyone's best shot

College basketball has a new No. 1, with Alabama taking the spot on Monday in the AP poll. A Purdue loss to Northwestern and a Crimson Tide win against Auburn saw a jump in the standings. Now more than ever, Nate Oats and his team will have a target on their back.

When you have that top ranking next to your name, other teams are going to put extra effort in. There is just something special about taking a No. 1 down, especially on a home court. Oats understands if Alabama is able to keep the honor, opponents are going to give their best effort. In fact, he encourages them to do so.

“You see what happens when No. 1 teams lose,” Oats said. “There’s court storming and all that. I think we’re going to get everyone’s best shot. I’ve told our guys I don’t mind that. We were No. 2 and we lost at point of the year. We’ve been top five for a good amount of the season here lately.”

The game Oats is referring to fell in January when Alabama traveled to Norman to face Oklahoma in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. The Sooners definitely gave their best effort and were rewarded in a big way, securing a blowout win.

Six regular season games remain for Alabama, with half of those falling on the road. The message has been clear from Oats on being ranked No. 1 — the goal is to play your best basketball down the road. Not in the month of February.

Nate Oats thinks Alabama will improve with tough matchups

Oats has not been shy of tough games during his tenure in Tuscaloosa. Some of the nonconference slates have been brutal, including this season. Alabama has faced some of the best teams in the country and nearly made it through unharmed.

Those punches have not stopped with SEC play, with Tennessee in Knoxville being next up on Wednesday night. Oats believes if these tough matchups come early in the year, his team will be ready to go in March.

“I like to get everyone’s best shot. I think the goal is to be playing your best basketball in March. If you take everybody’s best shot in January and February, it makes you better come March. I’m good with that. Our players have to understand it and I think for the most part, they do.”