When Nate Oats brought in Grant Nelson from North Dakota State via the transfer portal, Nelson immediately became the prized piece of a portal class and a key cog in what was going to be an almost entirely new roster (and coaching staff) for the Alabama basketball program.

And Nelson did not disappoint in Alabama’s opening game, a 105-73 win over Morehead State. He racked up 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks, going 7/12 from the field, 2/4 from the three-point line, and 8/8 from the free-throw line.

GRANT NELSON WITH THE POSTER‼️#RollTide | #BlueCollarBasketball
📺: https://t.co/rCMIgHBBFX pic.twitter.com/YScJiNCCmh

— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) November 7, 2023

ALLOW US TO INTRODUCE GRANT NELSON!#RollTide | #BlueCollarBasketball 📺: https://t.co/rCMIgHBBFX pic.twitter.com/jtOqWl8lh4

— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) November 7, 2023

Of course, we know about the success of last season, with the Crimson Tide coming off a school record 31-win, double-SEC championship 2022-23 year. But with success comes turnover, and Nate Oats had to replace not only multiple starters, but an entire coaching staff in one offseason as well.

Replicating the success of last year with all of the turnover the team has seen will be a nearly impossible task with new faces everywhere, but there is no reason to think this can’t be a very solid group.

The biggest red flag coming off last year was lack of depth in the front court after losing both Charles Bediako and Noah Clowney. Enter Nelson, Jarin Stevenson, and Nick Pringle.

Stevenson, a reclassified freshman from Chapel Hill, NC who Nate Oats pulled out of UNC’s backyard to win over in recruiting, was impressive, scoring 12 points on 4/7 shooting and 2/5 from the three point line in last night’s win.

Another new addition, transfer guard Aaron Estrada, was great as well, scoring 16 points on 7/10 shooting and 2/3 from the three-point line

https://twitter.com/AlabamaMBB/status/1721696215769677911

But the star of the night was Nelson, establishing himself immediately as a critical piece of this new-look Alabama team. Of course, the transition from NDSU to Alabama will not be an easy one, and it is just an opener against Morehead State, but Nelson looked every bit of what Oats and company need him to be in order for Alabama to be competitive in the SEC once again.

https://twitter.com/PDTScouting/status/1721735866295406937

With new faces all around, times are exciting in Coleman Coliseum. It could be another fun hoops season in Tuscaloosa.

The Crimson Tide will next take the court against Indiana State at home once again on Friday night at 7 pm CST in Tuscaloosa.