Alabama men’s basketball continues to improve in the rankings, despite suffering another loss on the road to a strong Tennessee team. In the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, the Crimson Tide failed to make the Top 25, but are tied with 43 votes as the first team left out.
The SEC schedule is a gauntlet, but Alabama seems to welcome it as a challenge that can help the team prove its strength. Despite having an overall record of 12-6, the Tide sits at 4-1 in conference play.
Head coach Nate Oats and his team will host Auburn, ranked no. 6 in the latest poll, in a mid-week game that not only serves as a key SEC matchup, but an in-state rivalry that continues to heat up every single time the two programs meet.
There is plenty of time left in the 2023-2024 season for the Crimson Tide to improve its resumé.
A look at the full Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports:
| Rank | Team | Record | Points | Change |
| 1 | UConn | 17-2 | 791 (24) | – |
| 2 | Purdue | 17-2 | 769 (8) | – |
| 3 | North Carolina | 15-3 | 734 | – |
| 4 | Houston | 16-2 | 678 | +1 |
| 5 | Tennessee | 14-4 | 671 | +2 |
| 6 | Kentucky | 14-3 | 609 | +4 |
| 6 | Auburn | 16-2 | 609 | +5 |
| 8 | Kansas | 15-3 | 576 | -4 |
| 9 | Arizona | 14-4 | 528 | +4 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | 14-4 | 480 | -2 |
| 11 | Illinois | 14-4 | 437 | +3 |
| 12 | Duke | 13-4 | 421 | -6 |
| 13 | Oklahoma | 15-3 | 401 | +3 |
| 14 | Baylor | 14-4 | 362 | -5 |
| 15 | Marquette | 13-5 | 360 | +3 |
| 16 | Creighton | 14-5 | 299 | -1 |
| 17 | Dayton | 15-2 | 277 | +6 |
| 18 | Iowa State | 14-4 | 220 | +2 |
| 19 | BYU | 14-4 | 181 | – |
| 20 | Utah State | 17-2 | 176 | -3 |
| 21 | Texas Tech | 15-3 | 148 | +4 |
| 22 | Memphis | 15-4 | 130 | -10 |
| 23 | Colorado State | 15-3 | 119 | +3 |
| 24 | Florida Atlantic | 15-4 | 101 | +3 |
| 25 | New Mexico | 16-3 | 54 | +20 |
Schools Dropped Out
No. 21 Ole Miss; No. 22 TCU; No. 24 San Diego State
Others Receiving Votes
San Diego State 43; Alabama 43; Seton Hall 33; Gonzaga 30; TCU 26; Texas 18; Clemson 15; Kansas State 14; Princeton 13; Utah 10; Saint Mary’s 6; Boise State 5; Indiana State 4; Grand Canyon 4; Ole Miss 2; James Madison 2; Michigan State 1
Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama basketball as the season progresses.
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