As the football season continues to captivate fans, mid-October marks a subtle yet exciting shift—the awakening of basketball season. But here’s where it gets intriguing: can Alabama’s basketball team maintain its dominance after significant roster changes? All eyes were on Birmingham this week as the SEC Media Days kicked off at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook, bringing together all 32 SEC basketball coaches. Among them was Nate Oats, fresh off Alabama’s second consecutive Elite 8 appearance, ready to dissect the upcoming 2025-26 season and the challenges ahead.
Oats took the podium on Tuesday, previewing a season that promises both opportunity and uncertainty. Despite Alabama’s remarkable streak—the only team to reach a Final Four and two Elite Eights in the last two seasons, with top-6 finishes in the AP Poll for three straight years—the Tide sits at No. 15 in the preseason rankings. And this is the part most people miss: while it’s their fifth consecutive year in the preseason poll, their longest streak since the 70s, the drop in ranking isn’t accidental.
Oats openly acknowledges the losses: “We lost quite a bit. Mark Sears, a First Team All-American with three stellar years, Cliff Omouryi, Grant Nelson, multiple starters—even Chris Youngblood is shining with the Thunder in exhibitions. But we’ve got good talent coming in.” His honesty is refreshing, but it raises a bold question: Can this new-look roster live up to the Tide’s recent legacy?
Leading the charge is Labaron Philon, a standout freshman now named to the preseason All-SEC first team. Other players to watch include Latrell Wrightsell, Houston Mallette, Aden Holloway, Aiden Sherrell, Noah Williamson, and Jalil Bethea. Philon himself expressed optimism: “This team could be really special. We’ve got guys who want to be here, who believe in Coach Oats. If we keep building, we’ll be unstoppable.” But is this youthful enthusiasm enough to fill the void left by seasoned veterans?
Here’s where it gets controversial: Oats’s non-conference schedule is no cakewalk. With matchups against No. 5 St. John’s, No. 1 Purdue, No. 17 Illinois, No. 21 Gonzaga, and No. 13 Arizona, the Tide is diving into the deep end early. “I don’t think playing 13 cupcakes prepares you for SEC play,” Oats stated. “We’ve had the toughest schedule in the country for years. You play the best, find your weaknesses, and fix them.” But is this approach too risky for a team in transition? Or is it the perfect test for a squad with something to prove?
Fans can judge for themselves on Thursday night when Alabama faces Florida State in an exhibition game at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham. Tip-off is at 7 PM, and it’s the first chance to see this revamped roster in action. Oats is eager: “We’ve been going against each other for months. It’s time to play someone else.”
As the season unfolds, one thing is clear: Alabama’s basketball journey will be anything but predictable. What do you think? Is Oats’s strategy bold or reckless? Can this team rise to the occasion? Let us know in the comments below. And if you want updates like this delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today!
