The poll results are in: Here’s a closer look at No. 20 Alabama.
20. ALABAMA
2025-26 record: 25-10
Outlook for 2026-27: The Crimson Tide seek a seventh straight NCAA Tournament bid and will need a freshman or two to break out if they want to match last season’s Sweet 16 run. Keeping Aden Holloway out of trouble will be a big challenge.
What we like: Holloway, who shot 43.8% from 3-point range last season, can knock down shots from beyond the arc, and forward Amari Allen should be even better after a solid freshman campaign. Transfer Drew Fielder (Boise State) fills a hole in the frontcourt, and Alabama’s freshman class should make plenty of noise.
Trouble ahead: Holloway will miss the first two regular-season games while serving a five-game suspension stemming from his March arrest on marijuana charges. Another guard, Anderson Diaz (elbow), also is out. Coach Nate Oats has expressed concerns about the rebounding, and we believe him. Alabama will face a tough test in its first three games in December against Miami, Houston and St. John’s.
Top newcomer: While freshmen Qayden Samuels, Jaxon Richardson and Diaz have plenty of potential, this team’s rebounding concerns make it especially important for transfers Fielder and Brandon Garrison to make an impact. Fielder averaged 14.7 points and 5.7 rebounds last season and is at his third school in four college seasons. He scored at least 20 points 10 times, including a season-high 33.