Many Alabama basketball fans were left stunned after watching Wednesday night’s game, where a player from The Summit League’s 7th-ranked team (out of nine teams) delivered a jaw-dropping performance against the Alabama Crimson Tide. How could someone from a team with such a mediocre record outshine Alabama in such a dramatic fashion? The player in question was Treysen Eaglestaff, a 6’6″ junior guard for the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, who put up a staggering 40 points in the game. Despite Eaglestaff’s individual brilliance, Alabama eventually triumphed with a 97-90 victory. However, throughout the match, it was evident that the Crimson Tide struggled to find a defender who could contain Eaglestaff, who had averaged 14.4 points per game in the previous season. After this explosive performance, Eaglestaff’s scoring average for the 2024-2025 season jumped to 20.2 points per game.
Alabama made several attempts to defend against Eaglestaff, but their efforts were largely ineffective. The game raised a key question: just how good are the North Dakota Fighting Hawks? Despite putting up a strong fight against the Crimson Tide, North Dakota’s overall record now stands at 4-9. In the NCAA NET rankings, their record is 3-9, as their win over Dickinson State is not considered by the NCAA’s calculations. However, after their narrow loss to Alabama, North Dakota saw a slight improvement in their ranking, moving from No. 313 to No. 289.
The most common reaction from Alabama basketball fans after the game was concern over the team’s defense. Many feared that if the Crimson Tide allowed such lapses in defense during SEC play, they could be in serious trouble. Head coach Nate Oats shares this concern but is also cautious about overreacting. As he has pointed out, evaluating a team’s potential in December based on a few games is not always an accurate reflection of how they will perform come March. That said, credible computer models project Alabama’s SEC record to range between 10-8 and 14-4, a significant variance that reflects the unpredictable nature of the league this season.
The SEC is expected to be incredibly competitive this year, with 12 or more teams potentially making the NCAA Tournament. Alabama’s upcoming games will be crucial in assessing how well the team is prepared for the rigorous SEC schedule. By mid-January, the Tide will face off against South Carolina, Texas A&M, and Kentucky in a challenging 10-day stretch that culminates in a game against Kentucky on January 18. Furthermore, the final three regular-season SEC games will be pivotal for Alabama’s positioning. The Tide will play Tennessee in Knoxville, Florida at home, and Auburn on the road—three teams that are currently a combined 32-1.
Instead of fixating on the loss to North Dakota, Alabama fans can take comfort in the fact that coach Nate Oats has assembled one of the deepest rosters in program history, despite the loss of key player Latrell Wrightsell. While the team’s defense and three-point shooting need improvement, Oats still has time to fine-tune his rotations and find the most effective lineups. Additionally, he may need to rethink the team’s reliance on Mark Sears as a primary offensive option. Alabama must be prepared for games where opponents focus their defensive efforts on limiting Sears, forcing other players to step up and deliver scoring contributions.
One thing is certain: Alabama is capable of beating any team in the SEC. Their potential is immense, and with key games still ahead, there is no reason to doubt that they can rise to the occasion. Starting with their matchup against Oklahoma in Tuscaloosa on January 4 and continuing through their regular-season finale against Auburn on March 8, there is not a single team on the schedule that the Crimson Tide cannot defeat.
In conclusion, while the loss to North Dakota highlighted some defensive shortcomings, it also served as a reminder of the unpredictability of college basketball and the need for constant improvement. The Crimson Tide have a talented roster and the coaching staff is fully aware of the areas that need work. As the SEC schedule intensifies and the team enters the heart of the season, Alabama has the tools to compete at a high level and make a serious run in both the conference and national tournaments. Fans can rest assured that the Tide will continue to grow, and they will be a formidable force by the time March rolls around.
