In a hard-fought contest, the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team overcame a mid-game offensive freeze to secure a 72-64 victory over the McNeese State Cowboys on Monday night at Coleman Coliseum. Despite the Cowboys' resilience, the Tide managed to maintain their undefeated start to the season, setting the stage for a challenging matchup against Purdue on the horizon.

Navigating a Tough Non-Conference Schedule to Prepare for SEC Play

A Familiar Foe Returns to Coleman Coliseum

The matchup between Alabama and McNeese State held added significance, as it marked the return of former LSU head coach Will Wade to an SEC arena. During his time at LSU, Wade had developed a heated rivalry with the Crimson Tide, and his presence on the opposing sideline added an intriguing subplot to the game. However, the Alabama faithful greeted Wade with a relatively warm welcome, a far cry from the FBI-themed antics that had characterized previous encounters.

Oats acknowledged the challenges faced by mid-major programs in securing quality opponents, and he recognized Wade's efforts to provide his team with a competitive schedule. "I know what it's like to be a good mid-major," Oats said. "It's hard to get good games. Will's trying to get good games for their team. They call us because pretty much everybody in the country knows we play good teams and we want good teams. We don't want to play bad buy games, I don't think that makes you better."

For Wade, the return to an SEC arena was a bittersweet experience. "It was about as welcoming as I remember last time I was in one," he said, reflecting on the atmosphere in Coleman Coliseum. "But it's great for our school, great exposure for our school and program."

Overcoming a Sluggish Start

The Crimson Tide's performance in the early stages of the game was not entirely up to par, as they struggled to find their rhythm offensively. The Cowboys capitalized on this slow start, jumping out to a 10-6 lead at the first media timeout. However, Alabama quickly regained its footing, taking the lead with a Grant Nelson three-pointer and never looking back.

By halftime, the Tide had built a comfortable 41-30 advantage, thanks in large part to Nelson's impressive first-half performance, which saw him contribute 16 points and 4 rebounds. "I think me just crashing kind of got me and the rest of the team fired up," Nelson said. "It's just the effort plays that really get someone going."

The Crimson Tide's ability to overcome their early struggles and assert their dominance demonstrated the team's resilience and adaptability, traits that will be crucial as they navigate a challenging non-conference schedule.

Exposing Vulnerabilities and Preparing for the Road Ahead

Despite the Crimson Tide's eventual victory, the game against McNeese State served as a reminder that Alabama is not invincible. The Cowboys managed to mount a late comeback, cutting a 21-point deficit to single digits and exposing some of the Tide's weaknesses.

Oats acknowledged the value of facing such a formidable opponent, stating, "They expose us on multiple levels that we can now work on before getting to league play. That's been my philosophy ever since I've got here. Schedule a really tough non-league schedule so that you configure out all the issues you possibly can."

The close call against McNeese State underscores the importance of the Crimson Tide's non-conference schedule, which Oats has carefully curated to prepare his team for the rigors of SEC play. By facing challenging opponents like the Cowboys, Alabama can identify and address its shortcomings, ensuring that it is well-equipped to compete at the highest level when conference action begins.