re: Alabama lands Cliff Omoruyi, one the best defensive bigs in CBB last year

CBS

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College basketball rankings: Alabama moves up in Top 25 And 1 after landing Rutgers big man Clifford Omoruyi

This ranking is based on Nate Oats' Crimson Tide returning two of the top five scorers -- specifically Grant Nelson and Latrell Wrightsell -- from a team that advanced to the 2024 Final Four. The addition of top-35 freshmen Derrion Reed and Labaron Philon - plus transfers Clifford Omoruyi (Rutgers), Houston Mallette (Pepperdine), Chris Youngblood (USF) and Aden Holloway (Auburn) - should keep Alabama in the national conversation even if Mark Sears remains in the 2024 NBA Draft, which is the current projection here.

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ESPN

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Rutgers transfer Cliff Omoruyi announced his commitment to Alabama on Sunday, giving the Crimson Tide one of the best interior defenders in the country and solidifying them as a top-five team for next season. Omoruyi chose Nate Oats' program over North Carolina, Kansas State and Georgetown. Oats has now solved one of the few issues on his roster, with Omoruyi prepared to step into the center position and protect the rim.

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SI

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — At long last, Alabama basketball has found its rim protector, adding Rutgers transfer center Clifford Omoruyi out of the transfer portal. Omoruyi was ranked as the second-best center and No. 8 overall player in the transfer portal, per On3's transfer portal rankings. After struggling with its interior defense for the entirety of the 2023-24 season, Alabama gets an immediate boost by adding arguably the best shot blocker available in the transfer portal. Omoruyi, originally from Nigeria, averaged 2.9 blocks per game last season for Rutgers, his second consecutive season blocking over two shots per contest.

The 6-foot-11 big man was named to the Big Ten All-Defensive team the past two seasons for his stellar play on the interior. He also has an offensive game that compliments Nate Oats' system well, serving as a capable lob threat and a rim runner. He averaged 10.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game last season, and looks to be an immediate starter in Tuscaloosa.

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The Athletic

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Transfer center Clifford Omoruyi commits to Alabama: Why he’s a perfect match for Tide

Omoruyi could be Alabama’s missing piece puzzle

While he’s not a floor spacing option, Omoruyi is a legitimate double-double in Alabama’s system. Coach Nate Oats’ offense prioritizes looks within five feet of the basket, and Omoruyi has the potential to see a good amount of targets as a lob threat and in transition as a player who runs the floor well for his size.

Omoruyi and the Tide appear to be a perfect match. The program adds an impactful big man who can change the trajectory of its defensive potential, and Omoruyi can hone his offensive game in an NBA-style system to improve his draft stock while chasing a championship.

The idea of an Omoruyi-Grant Nelson frontcourt pairing is exciting for Crimson Tide fans, Nelson can return to a natural power forward position and his defensive ability (1.6 blocks per game last season) create a formidable tandem in the paint.

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But I guess we should listen to the auburn message board fans on how this affects Alabama basketball.