NCAA Basketball: 10 teams that will exceed expectations in 2019-20

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MARCH 30: Mamadi Diakite #25 of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts against the Purdue Boilermakers during overtime of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at KFC YUM! Center on March 30, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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KNOXVILLE, TN – JANUARY 19: John Petty #23 of the Alabama Crimson Tide drives past Jordan Bone #0 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of their game at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 19, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

Alabama Crimson Tide

2018-19 Record: 18-16

Nobody is predicting Alabama to be bad. That would imply that people wrongfully have the idea that Nate Oats is not a very good coach. Even though nobody is predicting them to be bad, they are not saying the Tide will be great either.

I think otherwise. I will even say that I think Alabama has a great chance at stepping up and competing with Kentucky and Florida toward the top of the SEC. Call me crazy, but Nate Oats is more than capable of having them at that level… instantly.

What Oats did with Buffalo over the past few seasons must be taken into account when assessing Alabama this season. He knows how to bring the fire out in his players and rally them around a single goal. He knows nobody is giving his Alabama guys credit. He has probably already made that clear to his team and they will use it as fuel throughout the season.

Oats is a great coach, but Alabama has some losses that need to be resolved. Tevin Mack’s transfer to Clemson, and now the injury of incoming Freshman, Juwan Gary, are all huge blows to this team. Gary was the 64th overall recruit in the ESPN 100. These losses take away much-needed depth from the Tide but there is still reason to look up.

The Tide returns two excellent guards in Kira Lewis and John Petty. Additionally, The Tide has picked up guard Jahvon Quinerly from Villanova; however, it is still up in the air as to whether or not Quinerly will be eligible to compete for Alabama this season.

With all of this in mind, it is easy to think the Tide may not have much going for them, but with Oats at the helm and their excellent backcourt, I really feel like Alabama will be a strong competitor in the SEC this season.

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