Mo Dioubate shows his 'off-road' capability in big night vs. Vanderbilt

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Mouhamed Dioubate is typically known for his blue-collar play, diving on the floor, blocking shots or pulling down a rebound. But in Alabama’s 103-87 win over Vanderbilt on Tuesday inside Coleman Coliseum, Dioubate was a force on the offensive end.

The sophomore forward recorded his second double-double of the season with a career-high 22 points and 10 rebounds. Dioubate finished 8-of-9 on field goals, missing his final shot attempt of the night, one Nate Oats said he usually makes. He was one of three Crimson Tide players to finish with 20-plus points, along with guards Aden Holloway and Mark Sears.

But it was uncharted waters for Dioubate, although it might not be moving forward.

“Coach, he told me to be more aggressive when I get the ball because I’m usually just connecting with players like Mark and Biz every other game,” Dioubate said. “He’s giving me a little more leeway to go score the ball. You should be seeing that more, hopefully.”

Dioubate always plays hard. Oats noted that the Alabama forward has led the team in +/- the last two games while also winning the Hard Hat award for the most blue-collar points. 

But of late, Dioubate has shown a different offensive side, starting in the Tide’s practice gym.

Roughly three weeks ago, he was unstoppable.

“Nobody could guard him,” Oats said. “Maybe Youngblood was the best option. He was too quick for our bigs, way too strong for our guards. Youngblood’s strong, but even he struggled a little bit.”

What did Oats do? The next day, the coach arrived with about six new plays for Dioubate.

“He named it himself – ‘the off-road package,’” Oats said. “So Mo D’s got the off-road package. It’s kind of like smash mouth. Not typically the way we play, but it’s there. We got it in.”

Against Vanderbilt, Oats admits, he didn’t call many of the new plays. But Dioubate still thrived. And there was one play where the New Jersey native had a mismatch in transition.

“Just give it to him. Just go beast mode, go score the ball, which he did,” Oats said. “He’s got opportunities because people are so concerned with our guards, particularly now Sears and Holloway. This guy’s jumping out to help edge a screen and whatever, and he just keeps the ball.”

Dioubate entered the 19th game of Alabama’s 2024-25 season averaging 4.7 points per game. He always had his 22-point performance in him, Oats said, but Dioubate had to learn how to play with the correct spacing when opportunities presented themselves rather than just putting his head down, driving into a crowded lane and expecting a positive outcome.

He did that against the Commodores, and if the Tide can get this kind of production from Dioubate, its top-scoring offense can be that much more dangerous down the stretch.

“The more he comes along offensively – we’ve known he’s been great rebounding and defensive-wise – the better off we’re going to be,” Oats said.

Added Dioubate, “I just try to do whatever to win, honestly. I know the tools that we have on this team with the great shooters, the great interior scorers, I just try to bring it to the team, try to make everyone play as hard as I do.”

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