Nate Oats shares emotions of first game since tragic events over weekend

Somehow, Alabama was able to play a basketball game on Tuesday against Vanderbilt. Arguably more impressive, Nate Oats had his team looking as if business as usual, getting a double-digit win in Nashville to improve to 6-0 in SEC play.

Over the weekend, former player Darius Miles was charged with capital murder. He reportedly provided the gun used in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Jamea Harris, sending a shock throughout the entire Alabama program. Even so, Oats said emotions were kept in check prior to tip-off.

“Pregame, I thought guys got themselves locked in, ready to go,” Oats said. “It’s almost like ‘let’s use basketball as a little bit of a release.’ If that makes sense.”

However, the same could not be said about the postgame, where Oats said things got “a little bit more emotional” and there was even a “breakdown” or two from the team.

“I think they’ve been battling some stuff off them,” Oats said. “We got a job to do, got to get to the game. We got to the game and took care of business. And then, it’s almost a big relief. Game is over and we could let out a sigh of relief.”

Miles was arrested on Sunday afternoon, with the murder occurring in the wee early hours of Sunday morning. Having the whereabouts to play a basketball game, let alone get an impressive win, shows how mentally tough this Alabama team is.

But three days and a win will not complete or even expedite the grieving process for them. Alabama has provided resources to help out its players, continuing to struggle through a tough time.

“I think the guys are still going to need a lot of time,” Oats said. “Guys have been using the resources with the school with the counselors — I think more of them will see some counselors tomorrow but it’s a hard situation. So, for our guys to go through that situation…”

Oats will next take the court on Saturday with another road game, facing off against an impressive Missouri team in Columbia. At the very least, 40 minutes of basketball will be able to take the minds of Alabama’s program off Sunday’s situation.

Continuing to perform and getting results in a difficult SEC schedule is just an added bonus, honoring the victim and families involved.