FILE - Alabama head coach Nate Oats speaks to the media during a news conference ahead of a Final Four college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

FILE - Alabama guard Mark Sears fields questions ahead of the team's Sweet Sixteen college basketball game in the NCAA tournament Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)

Alabama head coach Nate Oats speaks during the Southeastern Conference NCAA college basketball Media Day in Birmingham, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gary Cosby Jr., Tuscaloosa News)

FILE - Alabama guard Mark Sears (1) and forward Grant Nelson (2) celebrate after a win over North Carolina in a Sweet 16 college basketball game in the NCAA tournament Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)

FILE - Alabama guard Mark Sears (1) reacts after scoring against North Carolina during the first half of a Sweet 16 college basketball game in the NCAA tournament Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)