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SEC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2023-24 season

By Matt Melton

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 12: Mark Sears #1 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts to scoring a three point basket against the Texas A&M Aggies in the first half during the finals of the 2023 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 12: Mark Sears #1 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts to scoring a three point basket against the Texas A&M Aggies in the first half during the finals of the 2023 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images) /
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Alabama Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images) /

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

Holding the No. 1 ranking in our 2023-24 SEC basketball preseason power rankings is Alabama, who enters year No. 5 of the Nate Oats era in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama is coming off what was arguably the greatest single-season in program history, a year that included a 31-6 overall record, as well as a 16-2 mark in SEC play to win the conference’s regular season and tournament titles. Reaching the Sweet 16, this was Alabama’s third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance, with the Crimson Tide’s 31-win total the highest in the history of the program, with the 16 SEC wins tied for most with 2020-21 and 1986-87 (16-2 in SEC).

A team that ranked No. 7 nationally by averaging 81.8 PPG, while also allowing 68.3 PPG, Alabama is set to replace a majority of their production from a year ago, headlined by both the 2022-23 SEC Player and Freshman of the Year in Brandon Miller, who led the Crimson Tide with 18.8 PPG and 8.2 RPG. Also included in the lost production for the Crimson Tide are the likes of Noah Clowney, Jahvon Quinerly, Charles Bediako, Jaden Bradley, Nimari Burnett, and Noah Gurley.

As for the returning production for Alabama, undoubtedly the biggest name is that of Mark Sears, who averaged 12.5 PPG last season, while Rylan Griffen and Nick Pringle are also back. Alabama also added multiple talented newcomers to their 2023-24 roster, headlined by North Dakota State transfer Grant Nelson, Hofstra transfer and two-time CAA Player of the Year Aaron Estrada, and Cal State Fullerton transfer Latrell Wrightsell Jr., along with freshmen including four-star’s Jarin Stevenson and Sam Walters.

Alabama will begin their 2023-24 season November 6 at home against Morehead State.

One breakout candidate for each SEC team in 2023-24. dark. Next

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