Nate Oats happy to get Nimari Burnett back in offensive rhythm

Alabama wasted little time roaring back from a humbling defeat at the hands of Oklahoma, absolutely plastering Vanderbilt 101-44 on Tuesday. In the process, Nimari Burnett got back into an offensive rhythm.

The sophomore transfer from Texas Tech was a starter for the Crimson Tide earlier in the year before injuries knocked him off course.

But he was back in a major way against the ‘Dores, scoring 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting.

“It was great to see those shots drop,” coach Nate Oats said after the game. “I mean we’ve been looking for somebody else to kind of step up and make shots. Rylan (Griffen) had made shots for us at Oklahoma, but obviously our defense wasn’t very good and he was about the only one. But if we can get Rylan and Nimari making shots as well it opens everything up. You don’t have to just rely on Brandon (Miller) and Mark (Sears) to make shots on the perimeter.”

Burnett is perfectly capable of putting up points in bunches when he’s in form.

He scored 18 points earlier in the season on a 5-of-6 shooting night against Jacksonville State. It’s just a matter of getting healthy and staying healthy.

The performance against Vanderbilt, though, just might be the spark he needed. And when Nimari Burnett is in an offensive rhythm, watch out.

“It was big. I was really happy for him. He’s a great kid,” Oats said. “He’s been through a lot, injury that kept him out all last year. But he’s had two injuries this year that sidelined for about a month each. He was out leading into our first game, missed a month of practice, then he missed this. He’s kept his head together, he’s had a great attitude through it all. We’ve been trying to gradually get him some more minutes. It was great to see him have a breakout game tonight.”

Nate Oats in line for contract extension

According to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, Alabama head coach Nate Oats has earned a contract extension. The move is expected to be made official on Friday by the University’s system board of trustees. It’s well-deserved for Oats, who has people in Tuscaloosa thinking about more than just the football team.

Oats’ extension will run through the 2028-2029 season, making his salary an “excess” of $4 million a year. He was previously middle of the road among SEC coaches when it came to salary. But with a new deal being approved, Oats finds himself near the top of the highest paid within the conference.

Alabama has played 119 games under Oats, currently having an 80-39 overall record. The team is fresh off the program’s largest margin of victory against an SEC opponent, taking down Vanderbilt 101-44 at Coleman Coliseum on Tuesday.