Nate Oats shouldn't have to study much extra video of Alabama basketball's second opponent, Arkansas State, as one of his former Alabama assistants, Bryan Hodgson, now coaches the Red Wolves. But for Oats, easier preparation doesn't make former assistants easier to compete against.
"I don't necessarily look forward to playing against (former assistants) but I look forward to seeing them," Oats said. "I wish him and (other former UA assistants), I hope they all do well. But for this one game I hope one of my former assistants takes an L."
Alabama (1-0) plays host to ASU at 7 p.m. CT Friday at Coleman Coliseum (SEC Network+).
Hodgson was not only a valued assistant coach to Oats, but an ace recruiter as well , and was key in UA getting top signees early in Oats' tenure, such as Josh Primo. He also recruited eventual NBA lottery pick Brandon Miller, Rylan Griffen and Charles Bediako, among others, and has attracted a significant talent upgrade as ASU as well. The Red Wolves are a fast-improving program under Hodgson's second-year leadership. ASU beat Akron 80-75 in overtime to open the season on Monday, and went 20-17 in Hodgson's debut last year.
"They had over 20 losses when he inherited it, and then he (became) one of two (first-year head coaches last year) to turn around and get 20-plus wins over Division I teams," Oats said. "Now they're picked to win their league (Sun Belt Conference) in his second year."
Alabama beat UNC-Asheville 110-54 in the Crimson Tide opener, cruising with seven players scoring in double digits. Arkansas State shouldn't have many surprises for Alabama, as Hodgson's team runs a similar offense to the one Hodgson learned under Oats.
"Schematic-wise, we should know what they're doing," Oats said. "I'll assume they'll try to run with us, that's how they play. They put up a lot of points, similar to us putting up a lot of points, in most of their games."
Alabama beat Arkansas State 89-65 last year, led by 13 points and six assists from guard Mark Sears.
Reach Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X @chasegoodbread.
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This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama basketball's Nate Oats has mixed feelings on facing ex-assistant
