Most national college basketball writers took a wait-and-see approach with Alabama heading into this season. It was a fair strategy considering the amount of production the Crimson Tide lost from last year's Elite Eight squad, most notably All-American guard Mark Sears.
But buoyed by the return of Labaron Philon at point guard, along with some roster additions on the margins that have proven fruitful (Amari Allen, Keitenn Bristow), Alabama has proven to be better than anyone believed in the preseason.
This team is a real contender. Nate Oats didn't have a problem saying so in the aftermath of the Crimson Tide's 90-86 "semi" road win over Illinois on Wednesday night. It was the second victory over a Top 10 opponent on the road this season, coming less than two weeks after Alabama walked into Madison Square Garden and beat St. John's.
A 3-1 start to the season with two Top 10 wins and the only loss coming to No. 1 Purdue is nothing to sneeze at. The national media is beginning to take notice because they don't have another choice. Alabama has kicked down the door and announced itself as an early contender.
According to ESPN's Jeff Borzello, Alabama is ahead of schedule.
"A win, in Chicago, over Illinois, less than two weeks after a win over St. John's at Madison Square Garden? Alabama is ahead of schedule," Borzello writes. "Labaron Philon Jr. bounced back from his up-and-down performance against Purdue to finish with 24 points, 5 assists and just 1 turnover, constantly putting Illinois' ball-screen defense in problematic situations. And the X factor for Nate Oats' team Wednesday was Tarleton State transfer Keitenn Bristow, who missed the first three games of the season with an ankle injury. Bristow came off the bench to post 10 points and 8 rebounds, giving the Tide a real boost with his motor."
ESPN's Jeff Borzello ranks Alabama No. 4 in his Power Rankings
It was a bit mystifying to see Alabama fall three spots to No. 11 in this week's AP poll following a close loss to No. 1 Purdue. Now with two impressive resume wins over St. John's and Illinois, the Crimson Tide figures to jump right back into the Top 10 next week before they travel to Las Vegas for this year's Players Era Festival.
Borzello is even higher on the Crimson Tide. He ranks Alabama No. 4 in his updated Power Rankings that he posted on Thursday. He ranks Alabama behind only undefeated teams in Arizona, Purdue, and Houston.
Alabama has several more opportunities for resume-boosting wins in the non-conference schedule. Alabama plays Gonzaga on Monday to open the Players Era Festival and will play Arizona in Legacy Arena in Birmingham on December 13th. There could be another Quad 1 opportunity on the third day of the Players Era Festival, too, depending on how things shake out.
Oats has put his team through the ringer early in the season, and it's already paying dividends.