Over the past few years, Nate Oats and Bruce Pearl have pushed the Yellowhammer State to the forefront of the conversation when it comes to SEC basketball.

Either the Tide or the Tigers have won the SEC regular season title in each of the past three seasons, and both teams are looking to win their fourth consecutive title this year.

Oats and Pearl both received the honor of being named to the Naismith Award's late-season Coach of the Year watch list, which includes a total of 15 coaches. .

Congratulations to Coach Oats on being named to the Werner Ladder @NaismithTrophy Men's College Coach of the Year Late Season Watch List!#rolltide | #blue collar basketball pic.twitter.com/iQRovqJCte

— Alabama Men's Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) February 23, 2024

That’s awesome, Coach 💪#wareagle pic.twitter.com/IovH7RKK1d

— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) February 23, 2024

Currently, the University of Alabama is 11-2 in the conference and holds the lead in the SEC as they look to defend their title. Meanwhile, Auburn has just closed the gap by two games to 9-4 with five games remaining.

Both teams made great strides throughout the season. On the other hand, Alabama overwhelms defensive opponents early on, as evidenced by the fact that it statistically boasts the best offense in the nation.

Conversely, Auburn boasts the No. 4 lake defense in the country and has been consistent throughout the season.

Both teams have earned high seeds in both the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament, and both are hoping to advance in March.

South Carolina's Lamont Paris is another SEC coach on this list, leading the Shamcocks to a 9-4 record in his second season in Columbia.