The Alabama college basketball program has garnered headlines due to a historic first as they reached the Final Four for the first time in the history of the institution and the program in question. After coach Nate Oats took over, it has become one of the top teams in college basketball, and everyone is aiming for the 2024-25 season already. Alabama has a deep roster of experienced players, and combined with one of the best recruiting classes in the nation on paper, it looks to make yet another deep run. The eager fans and analysts of the college basketball teams across the nation want to usher in that season and with the star-studded lineup, view clips from our editors placed Alabama at the top of early sports free picks.
Projected Starting Lineup
Mark Sears
Mark Sears returning for his final season is perfectly logical as he should be a team leader for Alabama. The star guard ended the season with a bang last year, scoring 24.2 points per game over five contests in the NCAA Tournament. He is also the odds-on favorite for SEC Player of the Year based on his prolific shooting 43.6% from 3-point range as well as his ability to lead on the court. The fact that Sears has chosen to forego the NBA Draft gives Alabama’s squad a considerable advantage which will be very beneficial in managing a tough schedule against different opponents in the SEC.
Latrell Wrightsell Jr.
Having had a strong performance last season, Latrell Wrightsell Jr. will be expected to take a larger role in the upcoming season. The graduate transfer displayed his skills in screenings during Alabama’s up-tempo and three-point shooting heavy game making a career-high 44.7% of three-point attempts. He will offer a great deal of size, shooting, and defending to the backcourt and therefore will be integral.
Chris Youngblood
A great asset of Chris Youngblood will be added to the roster since he joins Alabama from South Florida, where he was named co-AAC Player of the Year. Thanks to his remarkable shooting accuracy, Youngblood seasoned, experienced player who can shoot the long ball looks to help fill the void left behind by Aaron Estrada and Rylan Griffen. He will likely see a lot of action on the outside.
Grant Nelson
Alabama’s multi-dimensional forward Grant Nelson will be back after a productive playoff run. His best match came during Sweet 16 against North Carolina, where he was a one-man show, scoring 24 points and earning 12 rebounds. Nelson has shown that he may be dangerous when playing one – against many. And with Clifford Omoruyi joining the team as well, it’ll fill in Nelson with the power forward role, which is ideal for him offensively and defensively.
Cliff Omoruyi
Finally, Cliff Omoruyi, a graduate transfer from Rutgers completes Alabama’s massive front line. Last season he ranked first in the Big Ten block stats, averaging 2.9 blocks per game, which is important as he provides an interior defense presence. Omoruyi’s presence in the paint will make it possible for the coaches to use Nelson more at the fourth which was a major concern bothering Alabama’s last season’s defense.
Key Bench Players
Aden Holloway
Aden Holloway, who had a highly-rated freshman team at Auburn, transferred to Alabama. However, the ex-McDonald’s All-American has three years of eligibility left and is young enough to consider long-term development. On a more positive note, his playmaking and shooting abilities provide Alabama with an encouraging prospect for expansion.
Houston Mallette
Mallette hails from Pepperdine, where he was able to showcase his shooting prowess to the best degree. Mallette company record last year, shot 41.5 percent from the three men scored a three-point range last season. Malcolm is a vital bench player because of his versatility and the fact that he can handle the ball.
Mouhamed Dioubate
Known as a defensive specialist, Dioubate is expected to fill a bigger role after recording a mere 7.8 minutes in his freshman year. His exceptional energy and defensive skills allow him to come in as a change-the-tempo player. With fewer bodies in the front court this year, the reigning supreme Dioubate’s hustle and defensiveness will make sure he will have an important place on the team.
Jarin Stevenson
Stevenson showed flashes of his potential as a floor-spacer during his freshman season, and he will be looked upon to stretch defenses with his three-point shooting. At 6-11, his ability to shoot from deep is rare for his size, giving Alabama an additional offensive weapon in their rotation.
Derrion Reid
Reid enters as one of the most highly touted recruits in Alabama’s second-ranked recruiting class. Though his offensive game is still developing, Reid’s tenacity on defense could earn him valuable minutes as he adapts to the college level.
Outlook for the 2024-25 Season
Thanks to the mixture of old and young players in the Alabama team, there is a realistic understanding that the Crimson Tide will reach the Final Four once again. With veterans like Mark Sears and Grant Nelson setting the pace, the addition of Chris Youngblood and Cliff Omoruyi to the team is destined to ensure success in the coming campaign. This depth, especially on the perimeter, will be a major factor in them remaining competitive in what is expected to be a brutal SEC season.
The Alabama program will be looking to build on last season’s success, and as such, this regular season will be all shades of fun for supporters of the franchise. The teams expected to be battling for tournament perfection are the ones in the rotation that are loaded with seasoned players and sound young prospects. Expect this team to be on the list of top premium matchup reviews in games and seasons to come in an opportunity.