Nate Oats proud of mental toughness following difficult week

The cloud of the situation involving Darius Miles is going to hang over Alabama’s program for the rest of the season. Still, Nate Oats’ second-ranked Crimson Tide still have a lot to accomplish and, with how they’ve responded over the last week, he couldn’t be prouder.

Oats spoke highly of his team’s resolve and leadership following their latest 85-64 win at Missouri. He said their mental toughness has been on full display as their leadership from top to bottom placed it on everyone to sympathize towards those involved in the tragedy while also being able to lock in on what they need to be focused on.

“We’re really proud. A lot of mentally tough guys that are able to focus on what they need to focus on. (Yet) still have compassion for a rough situation,” said Oats. “Even before the game, we kind of gathered together. Noah Gurley leads the team in prayer. He prayed for the people involved in the situation, prayed for us to be able to focus. And I thought they did a good job.”

“I think our leadership is good…All of them,” Oats said. “Guys are just able to control what they can control, focus on what they can focus on. And they’ve been focused on what they need to.”

With authorities arresting Miles for capital murder after Alabama defeated LSU by 40 points, many expected a drop off during a week where they had a pair of road contests. If there was a drop off, though, it wasn’t visible on the floor. The Tide first went to Vanderbilt and won in Nashville by 12 after leading by as much as 23. They then followed that up with Saturday’s 21-point win in Columbia.

Oats’ team has been as good as any unit in the country over the last month. However, considering all things, how they handled this week both on and off the floor might be their most impressive accomplishment so far.