Nate Oats explains how Alabama has evolved its approach in 1-2 possession games

Alabama does not have too many late-game scenarios on the resume this season. While Nate Oats has thrived and won a majority of games by double digits, even some of the losses have not been close contests.

Things have changed over the past week, however. Alabama has been in two tight contests against South Carolina and Arkansas. To no surprise, freshman Brandon Miller has come in clutch in both games, getting crucial points from the field and at the free throw line.

Oats said while the Crimson Tide do not have a ton of experience this year, having somebody like Miller really helps out late in games.

“We’ve looked real strongly on what we have to do,” Oats said. “It helps when you have really talented players when you’re trying to win in the last possession or two. It certainly helps to have Brandon, who has made it clear he’s got very strong mental game. He’s clutch, he makes free throws late in games.”

Miller was superb against the Gamecocks, dropping a career-high 41 points. He hit the game-tying shot to force overtime and the eventual game-winning shot. The performance was not as good statistically on Saturday at Coleman Coliseum but Miller was a clutch seven of seven from the free throw line.

Nate Oats preparing Alabama team for championship run

If you expect to get easy wins in the NCAA Tournament, you are likely going to be heading home early. Alabama is going to be in fistfights for 40 minutes eventually. Whether it’s in the Round of 64 or late in the second weekend.

North Carolina was a game Oats pointed to, saying it was a solid example of what it takes to compete late in games. Four overtimes later and Alabama emerged with a win against a Final Four team from a season ago.

“If you’re going to win championships, you got to be able to close games late,” Oats said. “Go back early in the year, North Carolina. We had a four-overtime game. I mean, we had to get that thing to overtime. Our guys made some big plays.”

As for the exact science of how Alabama will work the scenarios, Oats said matchups will be the biggest determinant. A deep roster is a plus for the head coach, having quality players at multiple positions. Game patterns could play a factor as well.

“Every year, we go through and talk about end-of-game situations,” Oats said. “Who we want in, who’s our closing team if we’re up, who’s our closing team if we’re down. This year, it’s been more who’s playing best, what the matchups are… We’re trying to figure out what the best matchups that we can get and see how the game goes. We’ve been fortunate enough for things to drop our way this year in those five games.”