Alabama Surges in AP Top 25 After Impressive Win at UNC

The Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team has surged in the AP Top 25 rankings after an impressive 103-101 overtime victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. The win, which came on the road at the Dean Smith Center, marked the Crimson Tide's second ranked win of the season.

Improved Rankings and Record

Alabama moved up eight spots to No. 13 in the AP Top 25 poll released on Monday, December 26th. The Crimson Tide are now 11-2 overall and 2-0 in SEC play, with their only losses coming to top-five teams Gonzaga and Tennessee.

Roster Depth and Contributions

Alabama's success this season has been attributed to their depth and the contributions of their role players. Junior forward Noah Clowney scored a team-high 25 points against UNC, while freshman guard Jaden Bradley added 20 points and nine assists. Freshman forward Brandon Miller also reached double figures with 16 points.

Head coach Nate Oats has praised his team's ability to spread the wealth on offense, with six players averaging double figures in scoring. This balanced attack has made Alabama difficult to defend, as opponents cannot focus on stopping one or two players.

Key Components of their Success

In addition to their roster depth, Alabama's success this season can also be attributed to the following factors:

Strong Defense

The Crimson Tide have been stout defensively, holding opponents to just 64.4 points per game, which ranks 11th in the nation. They have also forced turnovers on 23.3% of possessions, which ranks 12th in the nation.

Efficient Offense

Alabama has been one of the most efficient offenses in the country, shooting 50.9% from the field and 38.7% from three-point range. They also rank 21st in the nation in assists per game (16.9), indicating their ability to move the ball and create good looks.

Challenges Ahead and Future Outlook

Despite their impressive start to the season, Alabama still faces several challenges as they navigate the SEC schedule and pursue a deep NCAA Tournament run.

Tough Conference Schedule

The SEC is one of the toughest conferences in college basketball, with several ranked teams, including Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Alabama will need to continue to play at a high level to maintain their current ranking and contend for the conference title.

Sustained Consistency

Alabama has shown the ability to play with the top teams in the country, but they will need to sustain that consistency throughout the season. They have a tendency to play down to the level of their competition, as evidenced by their loss to Georgia in their SEC opener.

Conclusion

Alabama's surge in the AP Top 25 rankings is a testament to their impressive start to the season. Their depth, strong defense, and efficient offense have all contributed to their success. However, they face several challenges ahead, including a tough conference schedule and the need for sustained consistency.

If Alabama can overcome these challenges, they have the potential to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament and contend for a national championship.