Alabama men’s basketball can be one of the most difficult teams in the country to face when Grant Nelson is playing his best.

He has the size and skill to impose his will and take over games. Take the game against North Carolina in the Sweet 16 a year ago, for example. Nelson scored 24 points, gabbed 12 rebounds and blocked five shots to upset the Tarheels.

That version of Nelson hasn’t shown up as much lately in SEC play. He hasn’t scored more than 12 points since the Arkansas game. He hasn’t made a 3-pointer since Texas. And he hasn’t reached double-digit scoring since the loss to Auburn two weeks ago.

“We do need Grant to be a little more aggressive and a little more efficient in his minutes,” Alabama coach Nate Oats said Friday. “Turnovers, some games he’s been a little inconsistent with taking care of the ball.”

Injuries have played a role in limiting Nelson, too. So the more time he has to heal, the better. He was dealing with a shin bruise during the win over Mississippi State on Tuesday. To Nelson’s credit, he still tallied the most blue-collar points that night.

“Grant’s got to get healthier,” Oats said. “I think we’re starting to see him get healthier, get more explosive, get downhill to the rim.”

Oats thinks that is limiting Nelson from playing his best because of what injuries can prevent him from

“I think more of it’s Grant being healthy to where he can get in the gym and put reps up and get his shot a little more comfortable,” Oats said.

No. 6 Alabama (22-5, 12-3 SEC) is preparing to face No. 5 Tennessee (22-5, 10-5) on Saturday (3 p.m. CT, ESPN) in Knoxville.

The Crimson Tide aims to beat the Vols for the first time since 2021.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.