There are several choices in the rankings of college basketball teams. Alabama Basketball has a chance on Saturday night to improve its national profile against the current AP Poll No. 1 Arizona Wildcats. The Wildcats are ranked highly in multiple computer rankings, but not at No. 1. They are No. 6 in the NCAA NET rankings and No. 8 by Bart Torvik's model. Ken Pomeroy also has Arizona at No. 6.
The Crimson Tide is ranked No. 12 in the current AP Poll and is the highest-ranked SEC basketball team. Vanderbilt at 9-0 is No. 15. The Arkansas Razorbacks are ranked No. 17. Despite Florida's 5-4 record (5-3 when the AP Poll was released), the Gators are ranked No. 18. Tennessee is 7-3, on a three-game losing streak, and is ranked No. 20. Auburn, also 7-3, dropped to No. 21 after being destroyed by Arizona 97-68.
Last Saturday, when Arizona blew out Auburn, there were no bright spots for the Tigers, other than Tahad Pettiford scoring 30 points. Arizona shot 61.2%, including 40% from three. Auburn shot 33.3%.
For those not up to speed with this basketball season, the Kentucky Wildcats are unranked, with a 6-4 record. The most recent loss for the Cats came in Nashville by a 94-59 score against Gonzaga. Kentucky, with a player budget larger than some Power Four football teams, was loudly booed by Big Blue fans in Nashville.
So is Nate Oats' Alabama Crimson Tide the class of the SEC? It is too early to know, but college basketball expert Andy Katz commented on Saturday night's game in Birmingham by saying that Arizona and Alabama could "easily meet (again) in an Elite Eight or Final Four."
Arizona's roster has size and skill. Their leading scorer is freshman Koa Peat, who is 6'8" and 235 lbs. Their leading rebounder is 6'8", 250 lbs. Tobe Awaka. Former Alabama player Jaden Bradley is the team's second-leading scorer and top assist-maker. Freshman guard Brayden Burris is the team's third-leading scorer. Junior center Motiejus Krivas provides more than being 7'2" and 260 lbs. He averages almost 10 points, eight rebounds, and two assists per game.
Alabama will have to 'man up' on the boards and defensively, but arguably, the Crimson Tide has an edge in skill. Nate Oats will have the Crimson Tide prepared. Having already played Purdue (AP ranked No. 6), Gonzaga (No. 8), and beaten Illinois (No. 14) and St. John's (No. 22), the Crimson Tide will test the Wildcats as much as it will be tested.
Alabama Basketball - SEC's Best Team?
Arizona will be the Crimson Tide's final major test before the SEC season begins with Kentucky in Tuscaloosa. The SEC has two teams in the top 10 of the current NCAA NET rankings, with Vanderbilt at No. 5 and Alabama at No. 10. With a win against Quad 1 Arizona, Alabama would begin conference play as the SEC's best team.
Note: Stats provided by Sports Reference and ESPN