Oct. 23, 2024 06:23 AM EST

Fresh From Final Four, Mark Sears And Preseason No. 2 Alabama Hope For Deep March Run

By The Associated Press
FILE - Alabama head coach Nate Oats speaks to the media during a news conference ahead of a Final Four college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) David J. Phillip, ASSOCIATED PRESS
FILE - Alabama head coach Nate Oats speaks to the media during a news conference ahead of a Final Four college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
FILE - Alabama guard Mark Sears fields questions ahead of the team's Sweet Sixteen college basketball game in the NCAA tournament Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)
Alabama head coach Nate Oats speaks during the Southeastern Conference NCAA college basketball Media Day in Birmingham, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gary Cosby Jr., Tuscaloosa News)
FILE - Alabama guard Mark Sears (1) and forward Grant Nelson (2) celebrate after a win over North Carolina in a Sweet 16 college basketball game in the NCAA tournament Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)
FILE - Alabama guard Mark Sears (1) reacts after scoring against North Carolina during the first half of a Sweet 16 college basketball game in the NCAA tournament Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Alabama (25-12, 13-5 SEC)

No. 2 Alabama is coming off the program's first Final Four run, and this roster appears even more loaded. Expectations soared when preseason first-team All-America guard Mark Sears and forward Grant Nelson both opted to return instead of turning pro. Coach Nate Oats also brought in the nation's No. 2 recruiting class (per the 247Sports composite rankings) and some impact transfers, including center Clifford Omoruyi from Rutgers.

Players to watch

Sears (graduate, G, 21.5 ppg, 4.0 apg, 43.6% 3-pointers). The lightning quick sharpshooter was a second-team AP All-America pick whose 797 points set a school single-season record. Sears is preseason SEC player of the year.

Nelson (graduate, F, 11.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg). The 6-foot-11 North Dakota State transfer thrived in the NCAA Tournament, including a 19-point, 15-rebound performance in the Final Four loss to UConn and a 24-point, 12-board showing against North Carolina.

Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (graduate, G, 8.9 ppg). The Cal State Fullerton transfer led the team with a 44.7% clip from 3-point range.

Departures and arrivals

Alabama has to replace double-digit scorers Aaron Estrada and Rylan Griffen. Oats brought in four freshmen and four transfers. Former Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi (10.4 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.9 bpg) brings a needed interior presence while Oats also added perimeter shooters like ex-Auburn five-star recruit Aden Holloway. Oats also signed two five-star freshman forwards. Derrion Reid was the No. 10 overall prospect and Aiden Sherrell No. 23, according to the composite rankings.

Top games

The opener is against UNC Asheville on Nov. 4. The Tide's toughest nonconference games include at No. 14 Purdue (Nov. 15), against Illinois (Nov. 20) and No. 4 Houston (Nov. 26) with a Dec. 4 visit to No. 9 North Carolina.

Facts and figures

Alabama attempted to lock down Oats with the third contract extension of his five-year tenure. The new six-year deal signed in March pays $5 million this year and rises to $7.55 million in his final year through March 14, 2030. Alabama has gone 56-18 over the past two seasons, securing the No. 1 overall NCAA Tournament seed two years ago.

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