Nate Oats hits South Carolina with zinger after lopsided win: 'This SEC team was ready for them'

A controversial moment during Alabama‘s 74-47 win over South Carolina spilled over into the post-game press conferences for both coaches, leading to an absolute zinger from Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats.

With about eight minutes to play in the game and Alabama sporting a healthy 17-point lead, things got heated when South Carolina star Meechie Johnson ran near the Alabama bench.

Alabama’s Max Scharnowski appeared to chirp at Johnson, who went right back at him verbally. Officials quickly halted play and ruled a double technical, with each player assessed one.

Asked about the confrontation after the game, Oats said South Carolina was talking a big game.

“They made the statement the SEC isn’t ready for them,” Nate Oats said, according to the Tuscaloosa News’ Chase Goodbread. “Guess we’ll see if the SEC is ready for them. This SEC team was ready for them.”

South Carolina coach Lamont Paris also chimed in on the double technicals, indicating from his vantage point it was Alabama who started the chirping.

“I think his [Meechie Johnson Jr.] was a retaliatory technical foul, to be honest with you,” Paris said, according to BamaCentral’s Mathey Gibson. “And so they called it on the bench, because that’s what who really instigated the interaction at all was the bench.”

Alabama would go on to win the game 74-47, thoroughly taking control in the second half after a fairly back-and-forth first 20 minutes.

After leading the Gamecocks by a point, 30-29, at the half, Alabama turned it on in the second half. The Crimson Tide started the frame on a 13-0 run that grew to 24-5 until the half finished a lopsided 44-18, turning a close game into a laugher.

Guard Mark Sears dazzled for the Crimson Tide, pouring in 31 points and pulling down six rebounds while adding a trio of assists. Fellow guard Aaron Estrada tacked on 17 points of his own, the only other Alabama player in double figures. All but four Alabama players scored on Tuesday and none who scored had fewer than three points for Nate Oats’ squad.

Alabama also continued the postgame smack talk in the form of its social media team trolling South Carolina.

Darude’s infamous song “Sandstorm” is a staple for various South Carolina sporting events, with men’s basketball no exception to the tradition. Only on Tuesday night, the Crimson Tide turned the tradition on its head.

“Hey Siri, play Sandstorm,” the Alabama men’s basketball account posted on social media with the final score.