Nate Oats making change to starting lineup ahead of LSU matchup

With a win on Saturday night against LSU, Alabama can keep the pace in the SEC regular season championship hunt. Having just one loss on the resume thus far, head coach Nate Oats is coming off a huge win against Auburn. Even so, there are some things he wants to clean up, hoping to get off to a faster start.

Oats hinted at a change to the starting lineup but did not reveal his move while speaking to the Alabama radio crew. However, shortly after, the official Twitter account tweeted out the starting lineup, with Rylan Griffen being inserted in place of Nick Pringle as Oats goes with a smaller lineup.

“We didn’t have a great start [against Auburn],” Oats said during a pregame interview. “We’re gonna make a change to the starting lineup tonight, try to get us off to a better start.”

Everyone knows the brand of basketball Oats is looking to play but has stuck with Nick Pringle in the starting lineup for the majority of the season. Now, he is testing a lineup with four guards while Grant Nelson will play the five.

Griffen has been a productive player for Alabama since arriving on campus last season. Even as a freshman, he produced big moments for the Crimson Tide. Now is his chance to get some minutes in the starting lineup.

We will likely get an explanation from Oats during his postgame press conference, laying out why he decided to go with a smaller lineup. He will be hoping the results are positive too, looking to get another home win against LSU.

Nate Oats, Alabama looking to continue recent success

Wednesday was one of the better nights since Oats took over in Tuscaloosa, with the atmosphere being incredible for the Iron Bowl of Basketball. Getting the win certainly helped, making it seven wins in the last eight games. The lone blemish is a blowout loss on the road to Tennessee.

LSU will come to town for what has been a massive game in the SEC over the past few seasons. Both teams are still looking to establish themselves in the conference but in different scenarios. Alabama wants to be at the top, while Matt McMahon is finally getting the ball rolling with the Tigers.

A fun crowd should be on hand at Coleman Coliseum. They will be getting a different starting lineup and hope the hometown Crimson Tide walk out with a win.