Latest news with #Oats
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gonzaga set to Battle Two Heavyweight Programs in Players Era Festival
Gonzaga set to Battle Two Heavyweight Programs in Players Era Festival originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Gonzaga's 2025–26 season is set to begin with two heavyweight matchups, as the Bulldogs will face Alabama and Maryland in the opening games of the inaugural Players Era Festival. These early contests offer a major opportunity for Gonzaga to prove itself on a national stage and get a real-time measure of how its retooled roster stacks up against elite-level competition. Advertisement The opener against Alabama on Monday, November 24, at 9:30 PM ET, 6:30 PM PT promises to be a high-octane battle. Under head coach Nate Oats, the Crimson Tide have emerged as one of the most consistently dangerous teams in college basketball. Known for their up-tempo offense and aggressive shot selection, Alabama presents a unique challenge for any opponent. Oats has built a culture of toughness and pace in Tuscaloosa, turning Alabama into a regular in the national conversation and a threat in the SEC and beyond. Gonzaga will follow that up with a showdown against Maryland the next night, Tuesday, November 25, at the same tipoff time. The Terps are now led by longtime head coach Buzz Williams. Though new to the sideline in College Park, Williams brings a wealth of experience and a gritty, hard-nosed style that has delivered success at multiple Power Five stops. With Maryland looking to reestablish itself as a force in the Big Ten and beyond, this early test will be a tone-setter for both programs. For Gonzaga, these games will be especially significant as the team introduces its new-look backcourt. Braeden Smith, a transfer who brings leadership and poise after a redshirt year with Gonzaga, pairs with promising young guard Mario Saint-Supery, recently signed from Spain, to form the Zags' latest backcourt tandem. Both will need to be at their best against the kind of length, athleticism, and defensive pressure that Alabama and Maryland typically bring to the table. The ability of Smith and Saint-Supery to handle the ball, control tempo, and make plays in tight moments will be critical to Gonzaga's chances of opening the season with a pair of wins. Advertisement The Bulldogs will also lean heavily on the frontcourt pairing of Braden Huff and Graham Ike, who return as one of the most skilled and productive interior duos in the country. Their combined ability to score inside, stretch the floor, and rebound effectively should create matchup issues for both Alabama and Maryland. If Huff and Ike can impose their will in the paint and dominate the glass, it could tilt the balance in Gonzaga's favor. These two early contests are more than just showcase games. They serve as an immediate barometer of where Gonzaga stands in its quest to return to the top tier of college basketball. With two powerhouse programs on deck, the Zags won't have time to ease into the season. The Players Era Festival will demand sharp execution, composure, and chemistry, and the performances of Gonzaga's backcourt and frontcourt leaders will likely determine how this early spotlight shines. Related: Spanish Point Guard Mario Saint-Supery Commits to Gonzaga This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Five-Star Point Guard Considering Alabama Amongst Other Elite Schools
Five-Star Point Guard Considering Alabama Amongst Other Elite Schools originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The No. 10-ranked basketball player in the 2026 class, according to the 247Sports Industry Ranking, is down to eight schools, one of which is the Alabama Crimson Tide, according to Joe Tipton of On3. Advertisement Five-star Ikenna Alozie is considering some of the elite college basketball programs, including the Kentucky Wildcats, the Kansas Jayhawks, and the Arizona Wildcats. Alozie is ranked the No. 2 player in Arizona and the No. 5 combo guard by 247Sports. He had offers from over 20 of the top schools in the country, but now he will focus on his top eight and work on organizing official visits. Rivals The Nigerian-born recruit has taken one official visit to the Washington Huskies, who also made his top eight. Alozie has also visited his home state school in Arizona on an unofficial visit. Alabama will look to get him on campus before the season and maybe through the season. Advertisement The Crimson Tide offered Alozie in 2024, and his relationship with head coach Nate Oats is reportedly strong. They have yet to gain a commitment from the 2026 class but have had a strong 2025 recruiting class. They recently announced Collins Onyejiaka was heading to Alabama and was originally from the 2026 class but reclassified to 2025. Oats has also added three top players, all four-star prospects. The Crimson Tide made it to the Elite Eight in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, falling to the Duke Blue Devils. Oats will hope to go further than that with the roster he has compiled from recruiting and the transfer portal. Related: Alabama Guard Receives Major Update on Eligibility This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
4-star big man reclassifies to 2025 to play for Alabama this season
The post 4-star big man reclassifies to 2025 to play for Alabama this season appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Alabama Crimson Tide are hoping to build on what was a fairly successful 2024-25 season, with the arrival of a few new recruits. The Crimson Tide were busy in the transfer portal this offseason, adding players to help shore up what should be a contending roster in the SEC. Alabama also added to its 2025 recruiting class with the recent commitment of big man Collins Onyejiaka who decided to reclassify to play this upcoming season, as per Joe Tipton of On3 Sports. Advertisement Collins Onyejiaka's decision to reclassify to the class of 2025 makes him immediately eligible for Alabama for the 2025-26 season. He joins an incoming class of recruits for Alabama that also includes forward London Jemison, guard Davion Hannah and forward Amari Allen. Onyejiaka is considered a four-star recruit and was playing at The Newman School in Boston, MA. He will be one of eight newcomers on the roster this upcoming season. Alongside the four incoming freshmen, Alabama also added four players out of the transfer portal in forward Keitenn Bristow, guard Jalil Bethea, center Noah Williamson and forward Taylor Bol Bowen. The newcomers are expected to help compliment a strong group of returners including talented guard Labaron Philon. Philon had initially declared for the NBA Draft, but made a surprising reversal and withdrew from the draft to return to Alabama for his sophomore season. This upcoming season will be Nate Oats' seventh as head coach. He took the helm ahead of the 2019-20 season and has compiled an overall record of 145-63 during his tenure. Over that stretch, Oats has led the program to five NCAA Tournament appearances including one Final Four in 2023-24 and two Elite Eights in 2023-24 and 2024-25. This past season, Alabama was eliminated in the Elite Eight by Duke. Advertisement Prior to Oats taking over at Alabama, he was the head coach at Buffalo for four seasons, leading the Bulls to three NCAA Tournament appearances. Related: Dawn Thornton, Alabama A&M land former Pac-12 assistant Related: Ben McCollum sets subdued goal for 1st season with Iowa
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nate Oats lays blueprint, talks move-in for NBA-inspired Alabama basketball practice facility
Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats has had his hand in creating Alabama basketball's practice and training facility since the project was first announced last year. "They've had me heavily involved in the entire thing," Oats told The Next Round at the Regions Tradition. Advertisement Architects and construction workers probably wished that wasn't the case after Oats came back from Boston last summer. After a little less than a week with Celtics head coach Joe Mazzula, Oats returned to Tuscaloosa with some new ideas he'd stowed away in his suitcase. "I came back and kind of blew up the plans," Oats said. CONSTRUCTION NEWS: Where were cuts made on new budget approved for Alabama basketball's practice facility? FUTURE PLANS: Nate Oats gives timeline on replacing ex-Alabama basketball assistant "Literally, we're to the end, and I'm like no, we're doing it all different," Oats said. Advertisement The communication went all the way to UA Director of Athletics Greg Byrne and President Stuart Bell, who agreed to Oats' requests. "I think it's gonna be a one-of-a-kind facility. The people designing it said they'd pitched these ideas to people and they didn't really buy em," Oats said. Nate Oats talks blueprint of Alabama basketball training and practice facility "It's gonna be very integrated," Oats explained. "It's going to be a lot easier to build relationships with players, and I think that's very important in the transfer portal, NIL day." Oats said there won't be a player lounge or a staff lounge, but "one big shared space." Advertisement Where Oats' office is currently located in Coleman Coliseum, he's on the opposite end of where players are practicing, so he struggles to know when guys are coming in to shoot, or who's available for a quick conversation before a voluntary workout. Oats explained that his office on the practice floor neighbors three more for Crimson Tide assistants, all standing across from the weight room, which will conjoin with the training room. Using his hands to lay out the blueprint of the facility, Oats indicated his office will be closest to the stairs, which lead to the second floor that'll host support staff and the common area for all involved in the program. How much was the courtyard addition that Oats is so excited about? Oats gave a smirk when he brought up the courtyard, one of the more recent additions approved for the facility, going on to note he has one at his house and often finds himself tempted to work outside. Advertisement In February, the project's budget increased by $500k when the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees voted for the facility to include separate courtyards for men's and women's teams, which will serve as communal areas for players and incoming recruits. Two months later, trustees voted to slash $115k of the budget previously allocated to 'Landscaping.' "I hate being locked up in an office," Oats said. Oats' one rule? "No bird baths." The University of Alabama unveiled the first banner honoring the school's first Final Four appearance Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Coleman Coliseum. Alabama head coach Nate Oats shows off his Final Four ring after it was presented by athletics director Greg Byrne and president Stuart Bell. When is Alabama basketball expected to move in to new home? The facility is expected to be complete by "next summer," according to Oats, adding the team anticipates moving in "this time next year." By that estimate, all should be said and done by May 2026. Advertisement Byrne told the Tuscaloosa News in December that the facility will offer "the latest technology," adding that the "first step" Alabama takes towards renovations on Coleman start with the practice facility. "I'm super excited. I can't wait," Oats said. Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@ This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Nate Oats on blueprint, expected move-in for Alabama basketball practice facility
Newsweek
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Tears as Dog Struggles to Make Friends at Park: 'The Little Barks'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A video of a dog playing alone at a dog park has tugged at heartstrings across the internet after it appeared that no one wanted to chase her. Oats, a 1-year-old Australian shepherd, was captured roaming the park in search of a playmate, by her owner @oatstheaussie. Despite her hopeful barks and playful demeanor, no other pups took her up on her offer. The video, posted to TikTok, has since racked up 17.3 million views and 4.2 million likes. "When we saw no dogs wanted to play with her, we were devastated. Like all Aussies, Oats really just wants to play and she has tons of energy. She doesn't have a mean bone in her body and is always looking for new dog friends," her owners, Mia and Scott, told Newsweek. "When no one wants to chase your dog at the dog park," reads the text overlaying the clip, which shows Oats pacing, glancing around, and even lying down in a classic canine invitation to play. "The little barks to see if anyone wants to play," the caption adds, summing up the heartbreaking scene. Australian shepherds are highly intelligent and energetic dogs, originally bred to herd livestock, and they thrive when given a job to do or a way to expend their boundless energy, according to the American Kennel Club. The pawrents described Oats as: sassy, vocal, loyal and sweet, who loves playing and has main character energy. When dogs invite others to play, their body language says it all. My Pet Matters explains that dogs often employ a "play bow" by lowering their front legs and keeping their rear up, or they may bounce around, bark softly, or present a toy—all universal signs in the canine world that say, "Let's play!" TikTokers were quick to flood the comments with sympathy for Oats. "Okay now post a happy video of him pls," one viewer begged. "Him looking back at you for reassurance," another user noted, clearly moved by the dog's hopeful glances. A split image showing Oats the Australian shepherd looking for a friend. A split image showing Oats the Australian shepherd looking for a friend. @oatstheaussie/@oatstheaussie Others shared similar experiences. "I always feel bad taking my BC to the dog park cuz dogs always shun her, even though she has the biggest heart after all she went through before adopting her. We end up just having our own pup party away from them," wrote Richie. "I started crying the second I finished reading," said one user. "I used to cry when I would see video of my dog at daycare and none of the dogs would play with him," shared Les. But Oats's story didn't end in loneliness. A follow-up video posted by her owner delivered the joyful update everyone was hoping for: Oats had finally made a friend at the park. "POV: she finally found someone to bark at AND chase," reads the caption of the second clip, which shows Oats gleefully running alongside another dog. The video has since been viewed 1.4 million times. TikTokers were quick to celebrate the happy ending. "I'm happy now!! I was crying when I saw the first part," said Nyda. "I can sleep peacefully now," another user chimed in. "I feel like a proud mother," one viewer shared. "Once she found a sweet corgi that was ready to play, we were ecstatic because Oats could get her much needed playtime at the dog park," the owners concluded. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
