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Nate Oats calls out Alabama's rebounding issues after loss to Purdue: 'We've got issues'

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh11/14/25griffin_mcveigh
NateOatsSMC1
Mar 21, 2025; Cleveland, OH, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats reacts in the second half against the Robert Morris Colonials during the NCAA Tournament First Round at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

You could not have asked for a better November college basketball game than Thursday night in Tuscaloosa. Alabama brought Purdue to Coleman Coliseum for the back-end of a home-and-home series, one the Boilermakers swept. A massive road win for Matt Painter‘s club, leaving Nate Oats quite frustrated.

Particularly with his team’s rebounding effort. Oats made things clear: Alabama has “issues” when it comes to rebounding. This dates back to the team’s scrimmages and the St. John’s win in New York City. To pick off a few more high-level wins, Oats knows his team needs to be better on the boards.

“We’ve got issues on the glass,” Oats said via Blake Byler of On3 | Rivals’ BOL. “… Until we figure out how to make tougher plays, rebound the basketball at a higher level, we’re gonna struggle beating the best teams in the country.”

Purdue finished with 52 total rebounds, 19 of which were on the offensive end. Compared to Alabama, which only finished with 28. The Boilermakers continually got their own misses and put together quality second-chance scoring efforts. Those kinds of stats can be the difference in a seven-point game.

Alabama played two different centers on the night, Aiden Sherrell and Noah Williamson. They were guys Oats mentioned pregame as players the Crimson Tide needed production from. Well, only five rebounds between them — four of which are credited to Sherrell — does not help too much.

Oats did point out how Alabama was “fortunate” to be in a tight game despite the disparity. He mixed it together with a poor night from star point guard, Labaron Philon.

“To get outrebounded like we did and for Labaron to be at the line to tie it with about a minute go, we were fortunate to be in that spot,” Oats said.

About a week spaces now from Alabama’s next game. The opponent does not get any easier, facing another Big Ten power, the Illinois Fighting Illini. Chicago is the neutral site venue, meaning there will not be the benefit of a home crowd. If anything, a road-like atmosphere is coming on Wednesday night.

You can bet rebounding is going to be a big point of emphasis until then. Illinois is already one of the best in the country, ranking 14th through three games. Yes, a small sample size but a number Oats will use to make his team possibly wake up near the rim.