Story by
The Tuscaloosa News
How Alabama basketball built its best offense ever — and what it must do for March run
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- How Alabama basketball built its best offense ever — and what it must do for March run
An empty box of Keurig coffee cups sits to the right of Ryan Pannone 's laptop. A white ceramic coffee mug rests near the edge of his office desk. Next to the mug lies a torn coffee sleeve.
The Alabama basketball assistant coach drinks four cups on a low day and seven on a high. Black, always. On one overcast Friday afternoon in March during his first season with the Crimson Tide, Pannone has already had six cups.
Advertisement
"I actually hate the taste of coffee," Pannone said. "I just like the way it makes me feel."
Consider it a necessity. There's no way the former New Orleans Pelicans assistant could pull off his schedule otherwise.
Here's how he described it: Pannone usually wakes up at 6 a.m. He's in the office an hour later, viewing film until 8, when the team usually watches film. When other coaches are presenting, Pannone usually looks at his own film.
"It's inefficient for me to watch it twice," he explained.
Then Alabama practices, and after practice, there's more film. Later in the afternoon, Pannone goes home. He aims to spend 4-8 p.m. with his kids; he doesn't watch film then. When his kids go to bed, his wife often turns on the TV. They watch it together, but Pannone also cuts film. His wife will go to bed around 10, but Pannone stays up, watching film. He will work until 1 or 1:30 a.m., he said.
Advertisement
Then he gets up at 6 a.m. the next day to do it all over again.
Every clip Pannone views, he labels. He puts notes in it. Pannone, a 39-year-old who is in his 21st year of coaching, takes in everything from Alabama film to NBA film.
"I don't watch basketball live," Pannone said. "It's too time-consuming. I only watch where I can cut it up."
His film rituals began long ago. He saw it as a way to outwork others in the coaching business. Pannone didn't view himself as a brilliant basketball mind, so to close the gap, he studied film as a young coach. That hasn't changed years later. He doesn't really have hobbies otherwise. He doesn't golf. He didn't watch the Super Bowl.
Advertisement
"I'm a psychopath," Pannone said. "I don't need that. This is my relief."
Pannone would much rather find a new play to send to his boss, Nate Oats, or discover a fresh way to attack a defense. There's a reason Oats said Pannone watches more film than anyone he has ever known.
This season, Pannone has been one part of a group of people with a hand in Alabama's elite offense. Pannone, Oats, director of scouting and analytics Adam Bauman, unselfish players and talented shooters have combined to put together the best offense in program history.
SEC TOURNAMENT: Alabama basketball SEC Tournament prediction: How far will the Tide go?
Advertisement
NICK KELLY: Lane Kiffin, Dabo Swinney never made sense for Alabama. Not with Kalen DeBoer an option | Kelly
No Alabama offense has been more efficient in the history of KenPom, which goes back to 1999. No Alabama offense has averaged more points per game than the 90.8 this season, per Sports Reference, which has points-per-game stats that go back to 1947-48. Alabama also tallied eight 100-plus point games in 2023-24, tying Kentucky (1995-96) for the most in one season in SEC history. For much of the season, Alabama also ranked No. 1 in the country for offensive efficiency.
The Crimson Tide has had high-scoring offenses under Oats, but none has matched this one. Even with a recent slump, it remains historic heading into the postseason. Alabama has improved on an offensive system that might look like its main objective is to shoot threes, but it's so much more.
Alabama assistant coach Ryan Pannone puts a calming hand on head coach Nate Oats’ shoulder as Oats has a dispute with an official during a game vs. Arkansas, March 9, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The backstory of the Alabama basketball offense
Alabama likes to put its players through NBA-style workouts. Oats calls it an NBA 100: Players have to shoot 100 triples.
Advertisement
One day, sophomore Rylan Griffen hit 92 of them. That broke the record for Alabama.
The Crimson Tide had multiple players who thrived in these drills in the summer, shooting in the 80s. Alabama also had multiple days shooting better than 50% from deep in five-on-five drills. A variety of players drained triples with ease. It wasn't just one or two.
"When you see those scores and you see what they were able to do in the summer, how good of a shooting team we have, you knew we could be pretty good," Oats said in late February. "I didn't know we would be this good."
It's remarkable considering the overhaul Alabama underwent in the offseason.
Advertisement
Fresh off a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament a year ago, Alabama lost most of that roster and staff. Leading scorer Brandon Miller became the top collegiate player selected in the NBA Draft. Plus, Noah Clowney and Charles Bediako also left for the NBA. Then a handful of players transferred away. Meanwhile, Oats lost all three of his assistants to head coaching jobs.
Soon, Alabama started adding instead of only subtracting. Oats hired Pannone and Austin Claunch in April. Then Alabama landed Aaron Estrada on April 22. The next day, it added Latrell Wrightsell Jr. Two veteran guards who shot around 45% from the field and just under 40% from deep.
Later in the offseason, transfer Grant Nelson picked Alabama over Arkansas and others.
"Once we got Grant, I felt like (the offense) could be this good," Oats said. "Now we have a big that really plays how we want to play."
Mar 9, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama forward Grant Nelson (2) blocks a shot in the lane by Arkansas forward Trevon Brazile (2) at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
As for the returners, Oats won't pretend that he knew senior guard Mark Sears would be this good, but Alabama knew him and thought he had the potential to get even better. Oats was also "super high" on Estrada. Plus, Oats thought Griffen could make a jump in his sophomore season.
Advertisement
Alabama also added a handful of freshmen with intrigue such as Jarin Stevenson and Sam Walters. The latter scored 29 points against TCU in the secret scrimmage before the season, going 7-for-12 from 3-point range.
"All summer I saw it, and I was like, 'This is the best shooting team I've ever coached,'" Oats said.
Alabama had players that could not only shoot well but also pass. Pannone, who has coached just about every level of basketball, said the key to being a good offensive team is having multiple players who can pass and make decisions, not just the point guard. Nelson was one of those pieces Alabama identified.
"He enjoys passing," Pannone said. "When we're watching film, he would make passes to his teammates, he'd get assists, and you could see the joy of him. He wasn't passing as a necessity. He was passing because it's the right decision, the right basketball play."
Advertisement
Selfless play has been a staple in Alabama's success this season. And that is found in recruiting, Bauman said.
"The biggest difference is the unselfishness of these guys," Bauman said. "The ball moves, and this is our best shooting group by percentage that we've ever had."
The Alabama system, explained
Pannone stood up from his desk chair and stepped to the whiteboard on that Friday in March. Then he started to write with a faded black Expo marker.
As he started to write, he made sure to avoid drawings from his kids, one that's a big heart and another of scribbles and "Love you Dad." He wrote above them.
Advertisement
Class was in session, and Pannone started with a formula.
Offense = Spacing + timing + ball movement + player movement + reading/decision making
It boils down to three simple steps.
"This is like your equation for offense," Pannone said. "Now within that, you want to create the advantage, keep the advantage and use the advantage."
Alabama assistant coach Ryan Pannone gives instructions during practice for the Crimson Tide Men’s Basketball team Monday, Sept. 25, 2023.
Therein lies Alabama's approach to offense. It's been a staple of Oats' teams over his five seasons at Alabama. It predates Pannone at Alabama, but on this afternoon in his office, Pannone became the teacher. Here's the lesson:
The advantage:When a defender is not between you and the basket, an advantage is created. There are three stages:
Advertisement
-
Create the advantage. Find a way to create separation or an opening. Once you have it, you have a half second to decide what to do next.
-
Keep the advantage. Many players aren't willing to keep the advantage because often that means passing and not shooting. It's better to pass and keep the advantage than lose the advantage and attempt a contested shot, which isn't efficient.
-
Use the advantage. If there's an opportunity to score, make the most of it. If you have the defender on your hip, go to the basket and shoot. If you have an open look from deep, shoot. Both are efficient shots.
"When we're looking to add guys, we wanted guys with a willingness to keep the advantage," Pannone said. "Keep the advantage doesn't mean use the advantage. Everyone wants to score. Now, if we have guys who only care about scoring, it kills your offense."
Alabama's offense is all about efficiency and creating an environment where efficient decisions are made. The Crimson Tide wants shots in this order: Free throws, layups and then 3-pointers.
"Free throws are the most efficient shot of the game," Oats said. "How do you get to the free-throw line? You drive the ball. How do you drive the ball? You get the lane open."
Nov 26, 2021; Orlando, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats (front) watches from the sideline against the Drake Bulldogs in the first half at HP Fieldhouse. Alabama director of scouting and analytics Adam Bauman sits on the bench.
A common misconception about Alabama's offense is that it only wants to shoot 3-pointers. No doubt, the Crimson Tide lets them fly at a high clip, but the 3-pointers aren't the top priority.
Advertisement
"The threes are a byproduct of us trying to get layups," Bauman said.
When teams have to collapse to defend the paint, it opens up players on the perimeter. If a player driving for a layup is covered but wants to keep the advantage, he will kick it to an open teammate who can drain a 3-pointer.
"We don't ever tell anybody you can't shoot a midrange shot," Oats said. "We educate them on how to be the most efficient player they can be."
That also applies to how quickly Alabama attacks. It wants to do so in the first six seconds of the shot clock.
"When we do that, our efficiency skyrockets," Bauman said.
Advertisement
Data drives plenty of decision-making. Bauman and his team track every single shot in a live drill and game from the moment a player steps on campus. That allows Alabama to see which players shoot well and which don't, providing an abundance of information to take to the coaches and players to help inform decisions.
"(Bauman) is doing things here that we didn't do in the NBA," Pannone said. "It's the data-driven decisions, and Adam is the brainchild behind a lot of what goes on here. Having the data, the information that also backs up what you're believing to then create the belief amongst players is super important."
Much of Alabama's system is NBA-like, such as the style of play and terminology. It made it easy for Pannone to transition to coach at the collegiate level.
Pannone said David Griffin, executive vice president of the Pelicans' basketball operations, called Alabama the 31stNBA team.
Advertisement
"Alabama is the only high-major program who runs an all-out NBA system," Pannone said. "The transference of how I see the game of basketball to how it was being played at Alabama fit perfectly. For most programs that are not playing an open, up-tempo, analytically-driven style, the value I could bring to that program would be mitigated."
Feb 28, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats reacts during the second half against the Mississippi Rebels at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
What's different this season?
After about 17 minutes of talking about the offense and why it works, he turned on his laptop and pulled up some clips.
"Come here," he said.
He went through play after play. Some Alabama, some NBA. He showed good and bad, often discussing movement and on-court decisions.
Advertisement
"My belief is the hardest thing to guard in basketball is movement," Pannone said. "Teaching guys how to move, how to screen, how to cut, how to relocate, how to create space, is a big part of what we're doing."
While showing film, Pannone often pointed out instances when players who didn't have the ball stopped moving, resulting in failed possessions. He also showed movement he liked.
"What we're doing a better job this year opposed to all our other years is more off-ball movement," Oats said.
The offense in 2023-24 isn't drastically different; It is still Oats' offense that he has built through the years. However, there have been some tweaks to take it to the next level. New players brought new abilities. The return of others saw continued development. Also, Pannone brought a few ideas (He had offensive input conceptually in the summer and fall. Then he ran the defense for a portion of nonconference play before Oats moved Pannone to offense with Bauman while Oats switched to running the defense himself).
Advertisement
"What people don't understand about Nate Oats is, one of his elite qualities is his openness," Pannone said. "All he wants to do is find answers to get better. A grad assistant could give him an idea, and he's going to listen."
One concept: Shrink threes.
Pannone and Oats began talking about them before Pannone was even on staff. Then with Pannone on staff, Alabama adopted the concept this season.
What are shrink threes? They are essentially more efficient 3-pointers, taken when the defense must collapse in the paint, opening up a shooter from beyond the arc. The defense has to shrink, creating the opportunity for an open catch-and-shoot 3-pointer.
Advertisement
"That's where we're trying to get our guys," Oats said. "Don't take bad threes. Take these shrink threes. Pannone brought that concept in."
Another new idea: Moving the big to a new spot.
Alabama has put its bigs on the perimeter more instead of playing them closer to the basket in the dunkers spot, which is just outside the lane near the baseline. But not to shoot necessarily: It's to help facilitate offense.
"He's always going to be open," Pannone said. "If you get there and don't have anything, just go find the Five … He's like the release valve."
Advertisement
Nick Pringle has been invaluable for the offense in that way. He is described as a connector: His job is to connect the offense from one side of the floor to the other. Other players do that as well, but each coach raved about Pringle's ability specifically.
Mar 9, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama forward Nick Pringle (23) reacts as Alabama makes a comeback during the second half against Arkansas at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama came from behind to win on overtime 92-88. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
"Nick Pringle does an unbelievable job of screening for others," Bauman said. "He's probably as good of a big we've had at creating shots for others off screens. He's really unselfish that way."
That's just one example of selfless play in this offense, something Oats, Bauman and Pannone cited as a key ingredient.
Advertisement
Said Oats: "To have guys like Aaron, Wrightsell, Sears, guys that could continue to settle for less efficient, more selfish shots instead of getting the most efficient, best shot for the team as a whole ... you couldn't put together an offense like this."
How offense needs to play for a March Madness run
Alabama's offense didn't finish the regular season playing its best.
The Crimson Tide had double-digit turnovers in four of its last five games of the regular season, and the points per possession took a dip in the last three.
The offense hasn't been bad, but it hasn't been elite to the same degree as its peak. If Alabama wants to go on a run in March Madness, that will need to change; The offense has been much more its foundation than the defense.
Advertisement
One important change already: Wrightsell is back and healthy. He started to show flashes against Arkansas in the regular-season finale, and that's expected to continue the more he gets his legs under him again. His importance to the offense can't be overstated; Wrightsell is the most efficient offensive player on the team, with an offensive rating that ranks No. 4 in the country, per KenPom.
He also has a turnover rate of 10.2, the lowest of any Alabama player. Plus, Wrightsell is one of Alabama's best 3-point shooters.
He missed four games because of a head injury and only played a few minutes against Florida upon his return. Having him back in the lineup is automatically a drastic improvement for Alabama.
Feb 17, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (12) pumps up a three at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama defeated Texas A&M 100-75 and Wrightsell hit several second half three pointers. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Outside of personnel, returning to fundamentals that fueled offensive success will be vital. That means constant movement when players don't have the ball. That way players with the ball have outlets to keep the advantage when defended well.
Advertisement
Good, efficient decisions are paramount. It's about using the advantage when it's there. Take the open three. Drive the open lane. Meanwhile, it's also important to know when something isn't there. Without the advantage, shooting and forcing something will often result in a miss or a turnover, the epitome of inefficiency.
If there's one thing to take away about the Alabama offense, it's that efficiency is king. Down to every possession, film session and cup of coffee.
Nick Kelly is the Alabama beat writer for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network, and he covers Alabama football and men's basketball. Reach him at nkelly@gannett.com or follow him @_NickKelly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter .
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama basketball: Deep dive into building of program's best offense
