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NCAA Basketball: Ranking of the only 12 teams that can win a national title in 2024-25

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats and Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl shake hands before the game as Auburn Tigers take on Alabama Crimson Tide at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats and Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl shake hands before the game as Auburn Tigers take on Alabama Crimson Tide at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. | Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK
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3. Alabama Crimson Tide - 7-2

The Tide has faced arguably the toughest schedule of any team on this list. Plus, they’ve been dealing with injuries in the backcourt, with Latrell Wrightsell out for the season, Pepperdine transfer Houston Mallette burning his redshirt, and AAC Co-Player of the Year and South Florida transfer Chris Youngblood returning soon from his own injury to the lineup.

Despite the roster moves, Alabama still has wins over Illinois, Houston, Rutgers, and North Carolina, scoring 94+ points in three of them. The only losses were at Purdue and to Oregon, which is not shameful. Plus, they still have non-con games against Creighton and Oklahoma before the SEC gauntlet begins.

Even after the difficult early schedule, some young players have been emerging. Freshman Labaron Philon (11.0 ppg and 4.0 apg) leads the team in passing, while Auburn transfer guard Aden Holloway has improved. Rutgers transfer Cliff Omoruyi has been solid as an interior defender, while Grant Nelson (13.1 ppg and 7.8 rpg) is shooting 54% from the field and is more consistent compared to a year ago.

The defense can still improve, and the star guard, Mark Sears (16.4 ppg), is shooting just 37% of the field. Once he gets back into All-American form, we’ll see the best of Alabama, which is a genuine national title contender.