Nate Oats shares first impressions of San Diego State

Next for the Alabama Crimson Tide in the men’s NCAA Tournament is a matchup against the 5-seed San Diego State Aztecs. And after beating Maryland in the round of 32, Alabama head coach Nate Oats shared his first impressions of San Diego State.

“I didn’t even watch the San Diego State game today. I was busy still watching Maryland film,” said Oats. “With the short turnaround, I just — I’m a big fan, but when we got a game to win; I try to lock in on the team we’re playing.

“So I know San Diego State’s defense is elite. That’s what I’ve been told by our staff. Furman is a really good team and they shook Furman out; so we’re going to have to spend a lot of time prepping for them. We’ll spend a lot of time tomorrow. The players will be off tomorrow, but the coaches will be in working.”

So far, San Diego State has defeated the likes of Charleston to open up the tournament. That was followed by a Round of 32 matchup against Furman. The Aztecs made quick work of Paladins, who had one of the first upsets in the tournament knocking off the South Region’s 4-seed Virginia by a score of 68-67. San Diego State played stingy defense against Furman, holding them to just 32 percent shooting from the field. They also dominated them on the boards, outrebounding the Paladins 41-24.

Oats says Brandon Miller didn’t practice Monday, should be ‘ready to go’ for Sweet Sixteen

One player who will be needed in Alabama’s Sweet Sixteen matchup is star freshman Brandon Miller. Miller is expected to play in the game, but has been hampered with a groining injury. Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats revealed on his radio show that Miller did not practice Monday but believes the forward will be “ready to go” for a matchup against San Diego State on Friday.

“He didn’t practice today,” Oats said. “He rehabbed it. We’re going to limit him tomorrow again, try to get him in on Wednesday and see how it feels on Wednesday. The goal is to have him 100% healthy by Friday.

“I think he’ll be ready to go Friday. This obviously is one of those deals where we’re gonna have to nurse it until the season’s over, really.”

Miller was clearly feeling the effects of the injury during Alabama’s first two tournament games, as he was held scoreless for the first time this season in the opening round. In Saturday’s win against No. 8 seed Maryland, he scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds, but was just 5-of-17 (29.4%) shooting.

They’ll need him to rebound even further if they want to beat San Diego State.