NCAA Basketball: Preseason top 25 power rankings for 2024-25 season

2. Alabama Crimson Tide

The Tide had some key roster departures in the offseason, including guards Rylan Griffen and Aaron Estrada, Sam Walters, and Mohamed Wague in the frontcourt. But the team had a great offseason in retaining key talent and adding big names from the portal.

Returning for his final year is Mark Sears, who led the team with 21.5 ppg and 4.0 apg. Latrell Wrightsell (8.9 ppg) also is back. Then there are three transfers in former Pepperdine guard Houston Mallette, AAC Co-Player of the Year guard Chris Youngblood (15.3 ppg at South Florida), and Aden Holloway, a former 5-star prospect and transfer from rival Auburn.

Forward Grant Nelson (11.9 ppg and 5.9 rpg) is back after a strong end to last season, along with potential breakout sophomore Jarin Stevenson. The missing piece to the team may be Cliff Omoruyi, a 6’11 transfer center from Rutgers who is one of the top interior defenders in the country.

A three-man freshmen class, led by Aidan Sherrell, gives them as much depth as they’ve ever had in the Coach Nate Oats era. The current concern is the injuries, with Youngblood reportedly out until December. Still, Alabama has more than enough firepower to be in the mix for another Final Four appearance.