The impetus for this post is a superb piece by CBS Sports' Issac Trotter. Trotter recently published 101 college basketball storylines and predictions for the season that begins in 101 days. Trotter gave Alabama basketball, and especially Nate Oats, a glowing review.
Trotter's Alabama observations are included below. Let's first review Trotter's comments about other top SEC basketball teams.
Like everyone else, Trotter has Florida as the SEC's best team, predicting the Gators will join Duke, Michigan State, and Illinois in the 2027 NCAA Tournament Final Four. Trotter projects Todd Golden with college basketball's third-highest offensive potential and fourth-highest defensive potential.
Trotter is also quite bullish about the Texas Longhorns because Sean Miller's team has "size, length, and athleticism (that) should be overwhelming at all times." Trotter stated being "bullish" about the offensive firepower of Texas A&M, largely because of the transfer addition of PJ Hagerty. Assessing Auburn, Trotter predicted a bounce-back season for Steven Pearl. Trotter reminded that Auburn has five transfer players who will be playing their fourth season.
Trotter is not as bullish about the Tennessee Vols becoming a top 10 team. He acknowledged that Tennessee's spending spree will bring wins, but that the huge roster turnover also brings risk to team cohesion.
Trotter is a big fan of Kentucky transfer, Milan Momcilovic. He calls Mark Pope's 6'8" addition, the "best shooter in all of college basketball." Trotter stopped short of predicting a big season for the Wildcats, calling 2026-27 "an inflection point" for Pope.
Issac Trotter observations about Alabama Men's Basketball
Trotter identified Alabama as having the second-best offense in college basketball, trailing only Illinois.
"Nate Oats is the best offensive coach in the country. The spacing is immaculate, every player understands what the plan is on every possession and the decision-making is sharp. An elite transition offense is Oats' bread and butter, but Alabama has quietly been one of the SEC's best three halfcourt offenses in six consecutive seasons. I think No. 7 is on the way."
Per Trotter, Alabama should be improved on the offensive glass: "Kentucky transfer Brandon Garrison, Boise State transfer Drew Fielder, and Missisippi State transferJamarion Davis-Fleming all rated in the 64th percentile or higher in offensive-rebound rate last season."
Trotter picked 15 Division One players to become All-Americans. Three of them are on SEC teams: first-teamers Tyler Tanner (Vanderbilt) and Thomas Haugh (Florida). Alabama's Amari Allen was a third-team pick.
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