Arguably the biggest weakness for the Alabama Crimson Tide going into the 2023-24 season, despite their first-ever Final Four appearance, has been their rim-protecting big men.
The staff expected Charles Bediako to return after the 2022-23 season, but Bediako's announcement that he would remain in the draft and not return to college surprised the staff and left a major question unanswered that Nate Oats was unable to fully resolve last season.
At the top of the Tide's transfer portal wish list was acquiring a tall, defensively-aware, experienced big man, and Alabama has done just that.
Clifford Omoruyi, a 6-foot-10 center who spent the past four seasons at Rutgers, was ranked as the No. 3 center in the transfer portal.
He chose Alabama over North Carolina and Kansas.
Omoruyi led the Big Ten in blocked shots with nearly three per game, was named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team, and averaged over 10 points and eight rebounds per game.
Alabama acquired an elite rim protector in Cliff Omoruyi, one of their top transfers. He helped Alabama address some of the weaknesses in their defense last year and will be a great addition to the team going forward. Below is a 2-minute block. pic.twitter.com/wCkEJtvWpr
— Matt Landry (@Landry1117) May 5, 2024
Cliff Omoruyi in 2023:
• 10.3 points per game
• 8.4 rebounds per game
• 2.9 blocks per game
• Big Ten All-Defensive Team selectionAlabama gets an elite rim protector who was named all-conference defender twice during his career.
pic.twitter.com/XznJzdBPho— Sideline – Alabama (@SSN_Alabama) May 6, 2024
With a slew of returning talent, along with the possible return of Mark Sears, Alabama is poised to be one of the favorites in all of college basketball next season.
Nate Oats continues to recruit at a high level both from the high school graduate and the transfer portal, and as a result, the Tide will have arguably the most talented roster in the entire sport and the best team Oats has ever fielded.
Michael Browner is a senior sports analyst and contributor to Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on Twitter. translation:
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