South Bound & Down
Fansided

SEC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2022-23 season

By Matt Melton

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - FEBRUARY 26: Oscar Tshiebwe #34 of the Kentucky Wildcats looks to the bench during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on February 26, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Wildcats 75-73. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - FEBRUARY 26: Oscar Tshiebwe #34 of the Kentucky Wildcats looks to the bench during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on February 26, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Wildcats 75-73. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 15
Next
SEC Basketball
Alabama Crimson Tide guard Jahvon Quinerly (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /

5. Alabama Crimson Tide

Coming off back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, Alabama enters the 2022-23 season as the first team to be ranked within the top five of our SEC Basketball power rankings.

In what was the third season of the Nate Oats era in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide finished with a 19-14 overall record a year ago, as well as a 9-9 mark in SEC play. As mentioned previously as well, Alabama made their second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance last season, which was the first time the Crimson Tide have done so since going dancing for five-straight seasons from 2001-02 to 2005-06.

Despite losing two of their top three scorers, Alabama returns a few key names off their 2021-22 squad, with arguably none bigger than that of guard Jahvon Quinerly. Other key names such as Charles Bediako, Noah Gurley, and Darius Miles also return, as does guard Nimari Burnett who should play a significant role for the Crimson Tide after missing last season due to injury.

The Crimson Tide will also have two transfers play key roles this season in Mark Sears and Dom Welch, as well as a 2022 recruiting class that was one of the best in the country. Brandon Miller and Jaden Bradley will both be key for this Alabama team this season, while others such as Noah Clowney, Nick Pringle, and Rylan Griffen will all see a notable amount of time.

A talented Crimson Tide team, Alabama should remain among the top of the SEC throughout the 2022-23 season, and is a legit conference title contender. Alabama should also return to the NCAA Tournament once again this season, and is certainly a team capable of making a deep run come March.

Home/SEC Basketball