Media members were in the Coleman Coliseum practice facility for a private viewing of the Alabama basketball team, marking their first time seeing the Crimson Tide in action since the Elite Eight.
The absence of faces like Mark Sears and Grant Nelson, who led Alabama to a historic Final Four, along with last season’s game-changers Chris Youngblood and Clifford Omoruyi was noticeable. But the newcomers brought a fresh look to the floor for the Crimson Tide.
There was more to learn than just potential starting lineups, though. Here are three observations from a 15-minute glimpse at Alabama basketball’s 2025-26 team.
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Head coach Nate Oats wasn’t satisfied with the communication on the floor on Monday, Oct. 6. During contact drills, he felt the guys were too quiet.
“Talk has got to go way up,” Oats yelled across the floor.
Without Sears, Nelson, Youngblood and Omoruyi, Alabama is missing a big chunk of the veteran presence it had during the 2024-25 season. Oats called Youngblood the team’s “biggest leader” down the stretch to March, so it still looks and sounds like Alabama has yet to find the voices that will make the team run on all cylinders. Being the only remaining piece of Alabama’s Final Four team, Latrell Wrightsell Jr. would be a clear answer but there’s still no timeline for the graduate guard’s return from the Achilles tendon injury he suffered last November.
Graduate guard Houston Mallette’s voice grew from the sidelines last season, and he looked to be ready to go as he drained threes during practice and got physical on defense.
Still, Mallette’s lower right leg was heavily wrapped. Given the way he was playing, showing no signs of pain, this was likely just a precaution for what Mallette has described in the past as “chronic knee tendonitis.” It’s something worth watching in the future, though.
Bucknell transfer Noah Williamson was expected to be a veteran presence at center for Alabama. He was nowhere to be found during Monday’s practice, though.
The Crimson Tide ran Aiden Sherrell with the crimson team, which appeared to consist of the most likely players to start, and freshman Collins Onyejiaka ran with the grey team.
Oats later explained that Williamson’s absence didn’t have anything to do with an athletic injury, but he woke up sick. He noted that Williamson has struggled to keep up with the pace of play since making the transition to the SEC from the Patriot League.
Before opening the regular season against North Dakota on Nov. 3, Alabama tips off exhibition play against Florida State on Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. CT in Birmingham at the historic Boutwell Auditorium.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at [email protected].
