Nate Oats' handling of Alabama basketball's Brandon Miller shows Crimson Tide's lack of discipline

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The state of Alabama is not the richest in the country.

Therefore, the boosters and powerful influence peddlers may run a little light on name, image and likeness (NIL) money as time goes by quicker than, say, their ilk in Texas or Florida, or even up-and-down, oil-rich Louisiana.

This was what was behind Alabama coach Nick Saban’s brash comments about Texas A&M a year ago after the Aggies pulled in the No. 1 class in history, or so it was said at the time. 

Many assumed NIL money was flowing through College Station like oil in the classic film "Giant."

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Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide prior to a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Bryant-Denny Stadium Sept. 24, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

But recruiting can also be all about creativity in addition to the Benjamins. Saban has long been one of the best recruiters anywhere. Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats is also very good. He signed the No. 3 class in 2022 and had top 15 classes in 2020 and ’21. Should the NIL money start to wane for each, though, here’s an idea.

You have heard of the "Zero Tolerance Policy," right. Well, Alabama already seems to be enacting the "Zero Suspension Policy."

Last fall, Saban refused to suspend star wide receiver Jermaine Burton, even though video clearly showed him striking a female fan during the field storming by fans after the Tide’s loss at Tennessee. Burton played the next Saturday at Mississippi State and in all five remaining games. At least Saban did see to it that Burton received some counseling.

ALABAMA'S JERMAINE BURTON ADDRESSES