Final polls in for Alabama basketball, plus way-too-early rankings
Alabama basketball finished steady in the final Coaches Poll, but way-too-early preseason rankings vary widely.
Alabama basketball's end-of-season rankings are in, and so are the way-too-early ones. The Crimson Tide finished 16th overall in the final USA Today Coaches Poll of the 2025-26 season, which was released on Tuesday, April 7. On the same day, the most premature of preseason rankings dropped as well.
ESPN put Alabama at No. 20 in its top 25. Fox Sports had higher expectations of Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats, who has agreed to a deal with UA that lasts through 2032.
The outlet put Alabama at No. 6. On3 ranked the Crimson Tide 17th.
Meanwhile, The Athletic didn't rank UA at all. WHAT TO KNOW: Key Alabama basketball starter plans to hit 2026 transfer portal REQUIRED READING: Labaron Philon makes decision on possible return to Alabama basketball Here's a full look at the last Coaches Poll. Rank Team Record PTS 1st Prev Chg Hi/Lo 1 Michigan Wolverines 37-3 775 31 3 2 1/7 2 UConn Huskies 34-6 737 0 7 5 2/7 3 Arizona Wildcats 36-3 713 0 2 1 1/13 4 Duke Blue Devils 35-3 668 0 1 3 1/6 5 Illinois Fighting Illini 28-9 654 0 12 7 5/19 6 Houston Cougars 30-7 586 0 5 1 2/8 7 Purdue Boilermakers 30-9 562 0 13 6 1/18 8 Iowa State Cyclones 29-8 520 0 6 2 2/18 9 Florida Gators 27-8 497 0 4 5 3/NR 10 St.