College Basketball Preview: Is Kentucky Still the Class of an Improving SEC?

Team on the Rise: Alabama Crimson Tide

A solid group of freshmen -- headlined by guards Collin Sexton and John Petty -- have the Crimson Tide and coach Avery Johnson looking toward their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2012. Alabama is returning their three leading scorers from last season, sophomores Braxton Key and Dazon Ingram along with senior guard Riley Norris.

The groundwork was visible last season when the Crimson Tide finished fifth in the SEC, but an overall record of 19-15 left Alabama on the wrong side of the bubble on Selection Sunday. While defense was clearly a strength for the Tide last year, ranking 10th in Kenpom's Adjusted Defense metric, the offense will have to be something they improve upon from last season's 152nd Adjusted Offense ranking nationally.

Luckily, offseason improvements from returning players coupled with a strong recruiting class from an offensive perspective should help close the gap in a positive direction and earn Alabama a spot in the Big Dance.