Alabama Basketball Coach Nate Oats Reprimanded By SEC After Missouri Game

The Alabama Crimson Tide basketball program extended its winning streak to six-games with a Tuesday night victory over the Missouri Tigers in Coleman Coliseum.

The contest was close until the Crimson Tide pulled away in the game's final eight minutes to claim a 93-75 win.

However most of the attention after the game was given, not to the victory, but to a first half interaction between Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats and Missouri forward Aidan Shaw.

Shaw found himself next to the Alabama huddle and Oats made contact with him to remove him from the area.

The Southeastern Conference office and commissioner Greg Sankey issued a statement on Wednesday reprimanding the Alabama head coach.

"Nate Oats' actions were unacceptable and violated the expectations for conduct and sportsmanship as established by the membership of the Southeastern Conference," said Sankey. "Under no circumstances should a coach make intentional contact with a student-athlete on an opposing team."

The Southeastern Conference found Oats in violation of SEC Bylaw 10.5.1 related to Conduct and Sportsmanship.

SEC Bylaw 10.5.1 states "All institutional staff members and student-athletes of a member institution, shall conduct themselves with honesty and good sportsmanship. Their behavior shall at all times reflect the standards of honor and dignity that characterize participation in the collegiate setting. For intercollegiate athletics to promote the character development of participants, to enhance the integrity of higher education and to promote civility in society, coaches, student-athletes and all others associated with these athletics programs and events should adhere to such fundamental values as honor, respect, fairness, civility, honesty and responsibility. These values should be manifest not only in athletics participation but also in the broad spectrum of activities affecting the athletics program."

Despite the reprimand there was no indication that Oats will be punished further by suspension or fine.