Where Alabama Basketball is Predicted to Finish in SEC

The conference also included Alabama guards Labaron Philon and Aden Holloway on the preseason All-SEC teams.

Mar 14, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Labaron Philon (0) dribbles the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The Southeastern Conference announced the media's predicted order of finish ahead of the upcoming men's basketball season.

Alabama is predicted to be fourth in the conference, with reigning national champions Florida at No. 1, followed by Kentucky and then Tennessee.

Additionally, SEC announced its preseason all-conference teams. Alabama guard Labaron Phillon was named to the First Team while fellow guard Aden Holloway landed a spot on the Third Team.

Philon became a household name over the course of last season and his three SEC Freshman of the Week honors reflected that. He was given expectations by analysts to be a one-and-done player and enter the 2025 NBA Draft—which he did in April. However, he changed his mind on the withdrawal deadline. Philon finished his freshman season averaging 10.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and a Crimson Tide-best 1.3 steals per game.

Holloway is a sophomore guard that transferred from Iron Bowl rival Auburn during the 2023-24 offseason knowing the risks of leaving a premier program as a starter. He gained the Crimson Tide's sixth-man role and was the main offensive contributor off the bench due to his three-point shooting. In 21 minutes per game, Holloway averaged 11.4 points on 41.2 percent from deep.

Predicted Order Of Finish

1. Florida
2. Kentucky
3. Tennessee
4. Alabama
5. Arkansas
6. Auburn
7. Missouri
8. Ole Miss
9. Texas
10. Mississippi State
11. Vanderbilt
12. Oklahoma
13. Texas A&M
14. Georgia
15. LSU
16. South Carolina

Preseason All-SEC Teams

First Team

Otega Oweh — Kentucky (Player of the Year)
Alex Condon — Florida
Josh Hubbard — Mississippi State
Labaron Philon — Alabama
Tahaad Pattiford — Auburn

Second Team

Nate Ament — Tennessee
Boogie Fland — Florida
Ja’Kobi Gillespie — Tennessee
Thomas Haugh — Florida
Mark Mitchell — Missouri

Third Team

Malik Dia — Ole Miss
Aden Holloway — Alabama
Karter Knox — Arkansas
Jaland Lowe — Kentucky
DJ Wagner — Arkansas

The Crimson Tide has made a ton of changes to its personnel this offseason, and before it is tested on Thursday in an exhibition against Florida State in Birmingham, the AP Top 25 placed Alabama as the No. 15 team in the preseason poll on Monday.

Alabama is the fourth-highest rated SEC team behind No. 3 Florida, No. 9 Kentucky and No. 14 Arkansas. Overall, there are six SEC teams in the preseason top 25.

Alabama finished last season ranked No. 6 following the Elite Eight loss to Duke. The Crimson Tide's No. 2 spot in the 2024-25 preseason AP Top 25 was its highest mark in program history, and Alabama remained inside the top 10 for the entire season despite having the toughest strength of schedule in the country.