Nate Oats gives curt response on Alabama potentially being No. 1: ‘I don’t really care’

With both Auburn and Duke losing Saturday, there is opportunity for Alabama to move up into the No. 1 spot in the AP poll. The Crimson Tide are currently No. 3 behind the Tigers and Blue Devils, but took care of business by a score of 85-81 against Arkansas.

Alabama coach Nate Oats was asked about the possibility of his team moving into the top spot after the win. As most coaches do, however, he downplayed on the importance of the rankings.

“I don’t really care, to be honest with you,” Oats said bluntly.

Grant Nelson and Chris Youngblood tied for the lead in point with 15 apiece in the win for the Crimson Tide.

Once up by 15, Alabama was on the verge of a horrific collapse against Arkansas. John Calipari‘s team went on a run to make the game interesting but ultimately fell short.

The Crimson Tide improve to 20-3 with the win and will next match up against Texas at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday. We’ll see where they end up in the AP poll on Monday, but it apparently will make no difference to Oats.

Tom Hart, Jimmy Dykes weigh in on No. 1 team debate amid Alabama-Arkansas chaotic finish

Voters still need to submit their poll but ESPN’s broadcast seems quite confident in Alabama at No. 1.

“Alabama will be the new No. 1 team in college basketball for the first time since the end of the ’23 regular season,” play-by-play announcer Tom Hart said.

Hart mentions the 2022-2023 season as the last time the Crimson Tide were atop the AP poll. Brandon Miller was that team’s leader, helping them earn the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. An SEC regular season and conference championship were earned too.

But Alabama only made it as far as the Sweet Sixteen, losing to San Diego State. This season is one where some predict a Final Four can be made or potentially even win the national championship.

“Alabama will be the new No. 1 team and they have all the looks of a Final Four team again this year, if not possibly winning the entire thing,” color commentator Jimmy Dykes said.

Even with the loss on Saturday, Auburn will still have a case to be ranked No. 1. Their overall resume is the best of any team in college basketball. And to add on, both of their losses are likely to be placed inside the top five on Monday afternoon.

Had it not been for a loss to Clemson, Duke would have been a shoo-in. Beating Auburn helps their case but seeing a team rise to No. 1 after a defeat is tough to imagine in the AP poll.

Dykes and Hart feel confident enough in saying Alabama will have the honor, though.

On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.

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