Nate Oats at halftime vs. Vanderbilt: 'They've been at the free throw line the whole first half'

Alabama basketball took a 38-28 lead over Vanderbilt into the locker room at halftime of Thursday's second-round matchup in the SEC Tournament, but coach Nate Oats was still upset about his defense as he went into the locker room. 

"We got to guard without fouling; that's been our biggest problem in the first half," Oats said in an SEC Network interview as he walked off the court at intermission. "I mean if we didn't foul, we were all right but we fouled too much, that's not good defense. We've got to guard without fouling. They've been at the free throw line the whole first half."

The Commodores shot 18 free throws during the first half, led by Scottie Pippen Jr., who went 8 for 10 from the line. The Crimson Tide committed 15 fouls in the first half, but no player had more than two. 

Oats appreciated the effort the Jaden Shackelford provided on the offensive end. Shackelford leads Alabama with 14 points off of 4-for-10 shooting from 3-point range. 

"I thought Shack played a great half," Oats said.

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