NCAA Basketball: 5 teams with the most to prove in December of 2023-24

Alabama Crimson Tide

Standing at 5-2, Alabama has remained a force on the offensive side of the floor once again, averaging 94.9 points per game with an adjusted offensive efficiency rating of 122.7 — the best in college basketball.

Despite this, the Crimson Tide have struggled on the defensive end, giving up 92 points to Ohio State and 85 points to Clemson in their lone two losses.

To reiterate their defensive struggles, in the past three games, the Crimson Tide have posted an average defensive efficiency margin of 121.7, according to BartTorvik. That is a number that will surely limit your ceiling even with one of the most potent offensives in college basketball.

With November now in the rearview mirror, the Tide will need to prove they can defend because, to Nate Oats’ credit, they will continue to play strong competition in the non-conference portion of their season.

In a span of eleven days, Alabama will play Purdue in Toronto, face a true road game against Creighton and a take trip to Phoenix to battle Arizona in the Jerry Colangelo Hall of Fame Series.

In addition, the Crimson Tide will take on one of college basketball’s strongest mid-majors this season, the Liberty Flames, in Birmingham, Alabama on Dec. 30.

It’s an extremely difficult schedule, but nothing Nate Oats isn’t accustomed to. With defensive issues continuing to be Alabama’s Achilles heel, the Tide will have to prove they can defend if they want to grab resume-boosting, Q1 wins this month.