Amari Allen's return gives Nate Oats the lineup Alabama needs for a deep March push

He waited until deadline day, but Amari Allen announced on Wednesday that he would return for his sophomore season at Alabama.

It's big news for Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide. Allen is one of the final pieces of the puzzle for the Crimson Tide's 2026-27 roster. Now, the waiting game is on for Aden Holloway and the legal issues that could threaten his basketball future.

If Holloway is able to play next season, it's easy to see this Crimson Tide team as a legitimate SEC contender, and one that could get back to the Final Four for the second time under Oats.

Alabama's projected starting five with Amari Allen returning to the Crimson Tide

PG: Amari Allen

Even if Holloway is able to play, it seems likely that Alabama's primary on-ball guard will be Allen. He alluded to that at the NBA Combine. While Holloway will certainly see significant on-ball responsibilities, he has thrived off-the-ball for the Crimson Tide in his two seasons in Tuscaloosa playing next to Labaron Philon and Mark Sears.

After measuring at 6-foot-5 without shoes at the Combine, Allen's future in basketball will be at guard rather than on the wing. He'll look to grow that skillset with an additional season at Alabama before moving on to the NBA Draft in 2027.

Allen's growth will be pivotal for this team. If he can take a Philon-like leap as a sophomore, then it's hard not to see this team as a legitimate contender.

SG: Aden Holloway*

This is obviously with the big caveat that the legal issues get sorted out this summer, but Oats appears confident they will. He hasn't outwardly said it, but his moves in building this roster have pointed to him expecting to have Holloway next season.

You can see the vision in how the roster has been constructed. Holloway, at 6-foot-1, will be the only player in the starting lineup under 6-foot-6. Oats wants to surround him with versatility and length, and that's exactly what he's done in the portal and with the high school class.

Holloway is one of the best shooters in college basketball, knocking down 43.8% of his three-point attempts as a junior, one year after hitting 41% as a sophomore. He was Alabama's second-leading scorer last year, and he'll be one of the best offensive guards in the country if he can play.

If not, then Oats would likely turn to one of his talented true freshmen - Qayden Samuels or Jaxon Richardson - to step into the starting five.

SF: London Jemison

This is another spot where Samuels or Richardson could compete for the starting spot, but a sophomore leap should be expected from London Jemison. He was forced to play out of position as a 4/5 his entire freshman season instead of his natural spot on the wing, and he acquitted himself nicely in spite of that.

He'll need to find more consistency with his shot and finishing around the rim, but he has the potential to be one of the better two-way wings in the SEC next year. He's a versatile defender capable of switching onto guards or bigs, which will be a common theme for the Tide next season, and his offensive game will continue to grow.

PF: Drew Fielder

While the first three projected starters are returners from last year, Alabama's frontcourt will be mostly new faces.

Boise State transfer Drew Fielder was one of the prizes of Alabama's portal haul. He's an elite shooting big man who will give the Crimson Tide the stretch four you have to have in this system, without sacrificing any size. He's a listed 6-foot-11 and played the five spot for the Broncos last year.

Fielder connected on 40.9% of his attempts from three with Boise State on solid volume. He'll get even more open looks for Alabama with Allen and Holloway breaking defenses down.

Tarleton State transfer Keitenn Bristow could factor into this spot as well. He surprisingly made the decision to return to Alabama, and his getting healthy could be a major plus for next season's roster.

C: Brandon Garrison

One of the most polarizing additions for Alabama in the portal was Kentucky transfer Brandon Garrison. He's a talented player, but it's not an exaggeration to say that his performance next season will be critical to the Crimson Tide's ability to make a deep run.

Losing Aiden Sherrell was a difficult blow, but there's an argument to be made that Garrison and Mississippi State transfer Jamarion Davis-Fleming are better fits for what Alabama needs out of the center position. That's if, of course, Oats can get the best out of Garrison. He was inconsistent during his two years with the Wildcats after a promising freshman season at Oklahoma State. When he's focused, however, he has flashed some high-level ability.

If Garrison can live up to his potential, then Alabama has all the pieces to be one of the best teams in the country.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow