Alabama Crimson Tide

2023-24 Result: 25-12 (13-5 SEC), Final Four Appearance

Key Additions

Aden Holloway (Auburn)

Clifford Omoruyi (Rutgers)

Chris Youngblood (South Florida)

Houston Mallette (Pepperdine)

Key Losses

Aaron Estrada

Nick Pringle

Rylan Griffen

Sam Walters

Projected Starting Lineup

Head Coach: Nate Oats (6th season)

Guard: Mark Sears (5th year)

Guard: Latrell Wrightsell (5th year)

Guard: Chris Youngblood (5th year)

Forward: Grant Nelson (5th year)

Center: Clifford Omoruyi (5th year)

Nate Oats’ team had some key losses this offseason, but also brought in some great talent after their Final Four run in 2024. They lost Aaron Estrada and Rylan Griffen who both averaged double figures in the backcourt with returning 1st Team All-SEC and 2nd Team All-American Mark Sears. Sears will have Alabama back in contention for the SEC championship and NCAA title with the talent returning and coming in. The Crimson Tide also lost Nick Pringle, but they upgraded there with Rutgers big man Cliff Omoruyi. Grant Nelson is back after an awesome NCAA tournament to play alongside Omoruyi. Also coming in to replace the pieces in the backcourt are Aden Holloway, who was a 5-star to Auburn in 2023, and Chris Youngblood from South Florida. Alabama is expected to start the season ranked #1 in the country.

Defensively, Alabama was not very good last year. They were nearly dead last in the country in points per game allowed, but this was in large part due to their fast-paced, high octane offense that shot the 4th most threes in the country, which inevitably leads to a lot of fastbreaks and high percentage shots. Even with this being true, they still were not very good in the half-court, which is why they bolstered their defense by bringing in Cliff Omoruyi. Omoruyi averaged 2.9 blocks per game last season at Rutgers, so he will really hold down their back line of defense. The backcourt should be much of the same defensively with lots of hectic play and gambling for steals, but they might be able to get away with it a bit more now with Omoruyi and Grant Nelson, who is no slouch, behind them. Alabama’s defense won’t light the world on fire because of their offensive style, but as long as Omoruyi stays out of foul trouble, they will undoubtedly be improved because there is nothing like having elite rim protection.

Alabama led the country in points per game last season and it would not be shocking if they do that again. Nate Oats loves to play fast, and with the personnel on the Crimson Tide, they are easily able to do this. Mark Sears will likely be the leading candidate for SEC Player of the Year this winter. Had it not been for Dalton Knecht breaking out at Tennessee, he would have won it last year with his ridiculous 50.4/43.4 splits. They will go as far as he can take them, but the added pieces through the portal and the return of Grant Nelson and sharpshooter Latrell Wrightsell will certainly help relieve some pressure. The big addition of Omoruyi will give the Crimson Tide something they haven’t had much of in the past and that is an elite lob threat. Sears/Omoruyi pick and rolls will likely result in a number of lobs given the attention that defenses are going to pay to Sears. Wrightsell will be awesome alongside Sears, having shot the three at 43.4% last season. Chris Youngblood coming over from USF gives Oats another shooting threat to replace the 39% three point shooting of Rylan Griffen that left for Allen Fieldhouse. The big mystery of the offense is Aden Holloway, who went to Auburn as a freshman last season and really underwhelmed for having been a 5-star recruit. He averaged just 7.3 points on 31.8/30.2 splits. The pressure should feel a little lighter this season at Alabama, and he showed flashes of high level play, so maybe he just needed a change of scenery to bring that out of him.

Alabama will start the season as a top three betting favorite to win the national championship and the favorite to win the SEC, and rightfully so. Nate Oats made some nice upgrades across the board and sprinkled in some massive upside with Aden Holloway if he can reach his potential for this team. The addition of Omoruyi will prove to be huge for the Crimson Tide, outside of his free throw shooting. Mark Sears will have Alabama thriving and it would not at all be surprising if they are hoisting the trophy come early April.