04. Alabama Crimson Tide
2024-25 Record: 28-9 (13-5 SEC)
Even with the mass exodus of upperclassmen from the roster this offseason, Alabama is still one of the top teams in the conference. Stars Mark Sears and Grant Nelson, as well as talented big man Clifford Omoruyi, left a big production hole to be filled - though a complete roster rebuild wasn’t needed.
Rather than raid the transfer portal, Nate Oats decided to build out the majority of his roster with solid recruits from the prep ranks - adding three players ranking in the top-75. Though he still added some solid transfers. The three major transfer portal additions should see plenty of minutes this upcoming season. Taylor Bol Bowen (8.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.5 bpg) from Florida State should provide the Tides defense with some elite shot blocking. Noah Williamson (17.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg) and Jalil Bethea (7.1 ppg) will give Oats a couple of solid bench scorers.
The returning production is why I like this Alabama team so much this season. Labaron Philon should see a big jump in production now that Mark Sears is no longer on the roster. As a freshman, Philon averaged nearly 11 points per game while shooting 45 percent from the floor. His three-and-D ability makes him one of the better young players in the conference. Aden Holloway (11.4 ppg) gives Alabama a solid secondary ball handler and excellent three-point threat - he made 41 percent from deep last season. And a full season with Latrell Wrightsell Jr should give the offense the boost it needs to stay at the top of the college basketball ranks.
The Crimson Tide will be tested many times during the non-conference slate, so we should have a good idea of what this year's Alabama team will look like once we hit conference play. I think Alabama has all the talent to compete for an SEC title. The offense should once again be excellent, and the defense should be serviceable. Nate Oats has proved that with that combination, he can coach his teams to great heights.