NCAA Basketball: Auburn, Gonzaga, Ohio State rise in latest top 25 power rankings

2. Alabama (2-0)

Last season, Nate Oats led the Crimson Tide to their first Final Four in program history. A very strong program finally broke through to national success. His first half-decade leading this team has seen greatness come to Tuscaloosa, with a few SEC titles and some significant talent walking through those doors. With the talent still around this season, Alabama certainly can match last year’s success this season.

Opening night was no challenge, as Alabama coasted to an easy 110-54 win against UNC Asheville. They made quick work of the Bulldogs, with preseason All-American Mark Sears leading the charge with 20 points in a dominant win. Four days later, the Crimson Tide had a tougher time with Arkansas State, but still came away with an 88-79 win. Sears had 19 points, leading five Crimson Tide players who scored double figures.

Alabama has been the type of team that doesn’t shy away from challenges, and their nonconference schedule is absolutely loaded with difficulty in the coming weeks. For now, they’re working out the kinks and figuring out winning lineups, but they clearly have a menace in Sears and a few other very important pieces. They’ll hope to avoid long-range shooting struggles that plagued Friday’s contest as they have a huge road game at Purdue next week.