North Dakota coach Paul Sather is all set to host Grant Nelson and the Alabama basketball team at the Betty. Nelson, a native of Devils Lake, North Dakota, is set to face his old rivals in the Fighting Hawks for the first time since transferring from North Dakota State to Alabama (8-2) in 2023. This game holds a special significance for North Dakota as it's more than just a holiday homecoming. After a tough 95-85 loss to UTSA on Sunday, Sather views having UA on campus as a 'cool opportunity'. But with January's SEC play approaching, the question arises: why would coach Nate Oats sacrifice a potential battle test in the non-conference gauntlet for a Summit League team that stands at 4-8?

Welcome Home: Why Did Alabama Basketball's Grant Nelson Get a Personal Link to Tickets for North Dakota?

Oats emphasized on Tuesday that there are 'no easy games' with UND, Kent State, and South Dakota State still on the non-conference schedule. "We just get three games to enhance our skills in various aspects, and this is the first of those three," Oats stated.North Dakota coach Paul Sather envisions the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center to be a 'fun, packed environment' on Wednesday. "You don't often see teams from such leagues take such a step, so credit to them for wanting to," Sather remarked.Sather praised Alabama's length as 'incredible' and its depth as 'awesome', highlighting guard Mark Sears as 'one of the best players in the country'. "It's our duty to go out there and compete in every possession and see what unfolds," Sather said. He also acknowledged that facing the Crimson Tide will be 'extremely challenging'. At the same time, he believes teams like Alabama push others to improve.Nelson is one of the factors behind Alabama's growth. Sather believes the 6-foot-11, 230-pounder's skill set, size, and physicality have enhanced on both ends of the court. Not only since the six games he coached against Nelson in three seasons at North Dakota State but also back when Nelson was a junior at Devils Lake High School.Before the team set off for North Dakota, Nelson shared with reporters that his only other Division I offer apart from NDSU was UND. "It's quite exciting to see him doing well. That's what you wish for any young person, right?" Sather said of Nelson. "You want to see them take risks and make something happen, and I think he's doing an excellent job of that."Alabama basketball and its Crimson Tide athletics are covered by Emilee Smarr for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached at esmarr@gannett.com.The game between North Dakota and Alabama is set to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams bringing their unique strengths and challenges. Alabama's depth and skill will pose a significant test for North Dakota, while North Dakota will look to showcase their home-court advantage. It will be a battle of wits and physicality on the court, and fans can expect an exciting showdown. Each team will leave it all on the floor as they strive for victory in this important non-conference matchup. The outcome of this game could have implications for both teams' seasons and their paths forward in the basketball world.