Jon Rothstein has a Shocking Ranking for Alabama's Basketball Team

While the headlines are being dominated by football and the rapidly approaching start of the 2024 season, Alabama's basketball team could be poised to be one of the best in the country this year. The Crimson Tide claimed the top spot in CBS Insider Jon Rothstein's updated "Rothstein 45" on Wednesday.

Mark Sears returns to lead the Crimson Tide after averaging 21.5 points last season, while fellow transfers Grant Nelson (North Dakota State) and Latrell Wrightsell (Cal State Fullerton) are also back for their second seasons in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama lost forward Nick Pringle and guards Aaron Estrada and Rylan Griffen, but it reloaded nicely this offseason. Chris Youngblood (South Florida) and Cliff Omoruyi (Rutgers) are projected starters entering via the transfer portal.

Five-star freshman forward Derrion Reid might be the key to unlocking the Crimson Tide's upside this season. A top-20 recruit in the 2025 class, the Napa, California native offers encouraging versatility and uses his size and athleticism to score in various ways.

Alabama currently ranks fourth in national championship odds at +1300 on FanDuel Sportsbook , so Rothstein is higher than the betting market on the Crimson Tide this fall. Fans will hope the team can parlay last season's run to the Semi-Final into a national championship this year.

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