Alabama men’s basketball is looking to forward momentum from last year’s exceptional season that culminated in a Sweet 16 appearance, the first since 2004, and the SEC title in the regular season and the SEC Tournament.
This year is shaping up to be yet another great season under third-year head coach Nate Oats.
The Crimson Tide returns two of its five leading scorers from last year’s team in Jaden Shackelford and Jahvon Quinerly. In addition, they add one of the top prospects from the Class of 2021 in JD Davison, who should prove to be very effective for Alabama right out of the gate.
The Tide also scored wins in the transfer portal during the offseason, picking up Texas Tech transfer Nimari Burnett and Furman transfer Noah Gurley.
Unfortunately, Burnett will be unavailable for the Tide this season after suffering a knee injury during the offseason.
The AP Poll was released and the Crimson Tide found itself ranked at No. 14 in the preseason rankings.
Last year, Alabama ended the season at No. 4 in the final AP Poll, which was the Tide’s highest ranking in the AP Poll since 1956.
| Rank | Team | PV Rank | Points |
| 1 | Gonzaga | 1 | 1,562 |
| 2 | UCLA | 1,459 | |
| 3 | Kansas | 12 | 1,427 |
| 4 | Villanova | 18 | 1,332 |
| 5 | Texas | 9 | 1,315 |
| 6 | Michigan | 4 | 1,255 |
| 7 | Purdue | 20 | 1,213 |
| 8 | Baylor | 3 | 992 |
| 9 | Duke | 963 | |
| 10 | Kentucky | 894 | |
| 11 | Illinois | 2 | 861 |
| 12 | Memphis | 831 | |
| 13 | Oregon | 775 | |
| 14 | Alabama | 5 | 713 |
| 15 | Houston | 6 | 694 |
| 16 | Arkansas | 10 | 673 |
| 17 | Ohio State | 7 | 581 |
| 18 | Tennessee | 563 | |
| 19 | UNC | 547 | |
| 20 | FSU | 14 | 381 |
| 21 | Maryland | 294 | |
| 22 | Auburn | 267 | |
| 23 | St. Bonaventure | 238 | |
| 24 | UCONN | 161 | |
| 25 | Virginia | 15 | 125 |
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