It's been a productive offseason for Alabama basketball, but the Crimson Tide still isn't getting treated as a legitimate contender heading into the 2026-27 season.
Nate Oats and company did take some losses in the offseason, none bigger than sophomore star Labaron Philon declaring for the NBA Draft. Alabama also lost starting center Aiden Sherrell in the Transfer Portal, but Oats did a good job this offseason of retaining talent and adding pieces in high school recruiting and the Transfer Portal.
Even after Amari Allen's decision to exit the draft and Aden Holloway reaching a plea agreement to open the door for his return to the program, the Crimson Tide still appears to be flying under the radar.
Fox Sports' Aaron Torres believes Alabama is actually the team being underrated the most heading into next season.
Aaron Torres believes Alabama is college basketball's most underrated team
"The college hoops team most underrated heading into next year is Alabama," Torres said on his podcast. …"Nate Oats is one of the great coaches in college basketball. Aden Holloway is going to be back after his off-the-court issues, and Amari Allen coming back after averaging 11 points, 6 rebounds, 35% three-point shooting as a freshman last year. I just don’t think people realize how good he can be. They added some very nice pieces in the portal.”
Torres gives four reasons why Alabama is undervalued that people should pay closer attention to.
The first is Oats, who has consistently had Alabama in contention during his time in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide has made it to four consecutive Sweet 16s, with a Final Four and Elite Eight mixed in.
The second is Holloway's expected return. While there hasn't been anything definitive about his status with the team, clearing up his legal troubles was the first giant step toward his getting back on the basketball court. Oats already said Alabama was holding his spot, and the expectations if that if everything goes well with the second chance program, Holloway will be back on the team this fall.
Holloway is one of the best guards in the country. He was Alabama's second-leading scorer last season, and now Oats has surrounded him with big wings to keep him from being picked on defensively.
The third is Allen, who has the potential to blossom into a lottery pick in the 2027 NBA Draft, much like Philon did by returning for his sophomore season. He'll be given more on-ball responsibilities this season, and he'll combine with Holloway to make up one of the best backcourts in college basketball.
Finally, there's the portal. Oats' work in the portal keeps getting underrated. Pairing with a Top 10 high school recruiting class, Oats made some smart additions in the portal.
The top priority was improving the frontcourt, and while Alabama didn't find a perfect one-for-one swap to replace Sherrell, they certainly got deeper up front.
Alabama added Brandon Garrison (Kentucky), Jamarion Davis-Fleming (Mississippi State), and Drew Fielder (Boise State) via the Transfer Portal, while retaining Keitenn Bristow. That's not to mention Collins Onyejiaka, who, if cleared medically, could provide more quality depth to Alabama's frontcourt rotation.
Top to bottom, Oats has built a deep roster with a newfound strategy to surround one smaller guard with guys 6-foot-6 and taller at all times. Alabama won't get outsized this year. Oats solved one of the biggest weaknesses the team has had over the last few years.
Not enough people are talking about it.
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