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Alabama coach Nate Oats loves 3 Tuscaloosa billboards criticizing his team's rebounding

Erik Hall
The Tuscaloosa News

New billboards went up in Tuscaloosa this week criticizing the Alabama men's basketball team after its loss at Missouri. 

The three billboards say: "Protect the Paint," "Rebound!" and "Rebounding = Final Four"

Alabama men's basketball head coach Nate Oats found out about the billboards Tuesday, and he is a fan. 

[ Cecil Hurt: Why is this Alabama basketball team different? It finds a way to win in February ]

"I love it," Oats said in the press conference after Tuesday's game. "Shoot, they're obviously into basketball if somebody is paying to put billboards up to tell us to rebound the ball. They're on the same page as the coaching staff."

Alabama defeated South Carolina 81-78 on Tuesday in Columbia, South Carolina. It comes after a 68-65 loss at Missouri, which was Alabama's first loss of the Southeastern Conference season.

"Shoot, I love the fact that the fans in Tuscaloosa are into basketball and they care enough to pay for billboards," Oats said.

While talking to the media, Oats sat with Alabama guard John Petty Jr., and Petty wasn't aware of the signs. Oats paused talking to the media and told him about them.

Oats then pointed out that Petty's eight rebounds led Alabama against South Carolina and that Alabama outrebounded South Carolina.

Alabama had 41 rebounds to 39 rebounds for South Carolina. 

"We won the rebounding tonight, so we did a pretty good job I thought in there," Oats said.

Oats has only seen photos of the signs so far and will surely seek them out once he's back in Tuscaloosa.

"Great, I love it," Oats said. "We've got some basketball fans. We love the people being into basketball." 

Alabama head coach Nate Oats communicates with players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against South Carolina Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

According to WBRC, Michael Wendel bought the billboards.

With Tuesday's win, Alabama, ranked No. 11 in the Ferris Mowers Men's Basketball Coaches Poll, improved to 16-5 overall and 11-1 in the SEC. The South Carolina Gamecocks went to 5-8 overall and 3-6 in the SEC. 

Here's more Alabama men's basketball news: 

After Tuesday, Alabama leads the all-time series 32-16 vs. South Carolina. 

Erik Hall is the lead digital producer for sports with the USA Today Network. You can find him on Twitter @HallErik.