Alabama basketball is about to begin, and time is running out to make hot takes that’ll be freezing cold by the time the 2024-25 season rolls around.
At least without being judged.
Does Vanderbilt seal another upset against the Crimson Tide in a different sport? Could Auburn win transfer Aden Holloway back through the “Pearly Gates”?
Is Alabama going to be stopped in the Final Four once again?
I don’t think so, but here are five bold predictions I do have for Alabama basketball this season:
Starting five will include a freshman by NCAA Tournament
Alabama basketball bringing one of the deepest rosters in program history has yet to stop new kids on the block five-star Derrion Reid and four-star Labaron Philon from holding their own against their veteran teammates. Each have won the coveted hard hat after their first tastes of college action, Reid against Wake Forest and Philon against Memphis.
Early on, it looks like the fanbase has taken a particular liking to the homegrown guy, Philon, a native of Mobile.
Alabama basketball has first Naismith winner
It helps that Alabama has double the chances early on. Returning starters Grant Nelson and Mark Sears have both been named to the Naismith Trophy Player of the Year watchlist.
To see Alabama to the Final Four, SEC Preseason Player of the Year Sears became the first Division I player in the last 31 seasons to record 795 points, 150 rebounds, 145 assists and 95 3-pointers in a single season.
Nelson is set to reach new heights this season at forward thanks to the arrival of big man Cliff Omoruyi, who will relieve the 6-foot-11, 230-pound North Dakota State transfer of rim protection duties he had to take on last year.
Top ten finalists are set to be announced on March 14 of next year. The winner will be revealed on April 16.
Mouhamed Dioubate ends with season averaging upwards of 20 minutes
Oats pleased fans who want “Mo D” during the first media availability of the 2024-25 season when he said that Dioubate, a 6-7 forward, will be able to use him as a “changeup” at the five.
The sophomore saw a game-high 19 minutes against Mississippi State last year, finishing averaging around eight minutes per game. He’s been a catalyst off the bench for the Crimson Tide already in preseason exhibitions against Wake Forest and Memphis, collecting 10 points, five rebounds and three assists against the Demon Deacons with 11 points and eight rebounds in 16 minutes.
Jarin Stevenson declares for NBA Draft
Based on past events, this one may not be that bold. Naysayers could argue that if a Final Four trip was enough to get Stevenson, 6-foot-11 forward, to withdraw from the NBA Draft, a national championship could give Alabama a third year with him.
On the other hand, coming away with a natty ring could be enough for the sophomore to decide to find his home at the next level once and for all.
Coach Nate Oats wins first national championship
Oats won three MAC tournaments before arriving to Alabama in 2019. Since, he’s coached the Crimson Tide to the SEC Tournament championship and the SEC regular season in 2021 and 2023.
A national championship would be a first for Alabama and Oats alike.
Starting the season ranked second in the country, hosting the nation’s most daunting backcourt, Alabama is already media and league officials’ pick to win the SEC. By the time the Final Four rolls around in April, the Crimson Tide won’t have just been through a gritty conference schedule, but a brutal non-conference gauntlet.
Consider this calling it.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
