Alabama coach Nate Oats pushes Mizzou player, apologizes

Field Level Media|published: Wed 17th January, 01:20 2024

Jan 16, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama head coach Nate Oats talks to his team during a timeout as they play Missouri at Coleman Coliseum. credits: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama coach Nate Oats pushed a Missouri player during a brief skirmish in a Tuesday night game in Tuscaloosa, Ala., then apologized later for his actions.

With 7:34 remaining in the first half, the Crimson Tide's Aaron Estrada fouled Anthony Robinson II near the Alabama bench. Missouri's Aidan Shaw came over to say something to Estrada, and Oats stepped onto the court to push back Shaw with a hand to the chest.

Following the Crimson Tide's 93-75 victory, Oats said, "I have all the respect in the world for the job (Missouri coach Dennis Gates has) done as an assistant and head coach. No disrespect to him or his program. I apologized to both Coach Gates and Aidan Shaw. Aidan seems like a great kid. It's an unfortunate situation, but I apologized to both of them."

Gates said he did receive an apology from Oats, but he questioned why the officials didn't hit Oats with a technical foul.

Estrada and Rylan Griffen each scored 21 points for Alabama (12-5, 4-0 Southeastern Conference) in the victory. Tamar Bates topped Missouri (8-9, 0-4) with 19 points, and Shaw scored two points in 15 minutes off the bench.

—Field Level Media