Nov 20, 2024; Birmingham, AL, USA; Alabama head coach Nate Oats is upset wtih an officials call in the CM Newton Classic at Legacy Arena. Alabama defeated Illinois 100-87. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News
Despite an impressive victory over a ranked Big Ten school last Wednesday, Nate Oats’ Alabama basketball team fell in this week’s USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll.
Alabama (4-1 overall) fell two spots to No. 9 after beating previously 20th-ranked Illinois, 100-87, in the C.M. Newton Classic at Legacy Arena in Birmingham. Grant Nelson scored 23 points to lead the Tide past the Illini. Auburn transfer Aden Holloway poured in 18.
Rick Barnes’ Tennessee Volunteers (6-0) and Mark Pope’s Kentucky Wildcats (5-0) both jumped Alabama in the top 10, as did Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Cougars (3-1), who play the Crimson Tide in this week’s Players Era Festival out in Las Vegas Tuesday.
Tipoff for Alabama vs. Houston is 7 p.m. CT Tuesday. The game will be televised on TBS. The Players Era Festival is a first of its kind — a glorified cash scramble by participating schools for various NIL war funds ($9 million total, according to various reports).
ESPN’s Matchup Predictor currently gives Houston a 71.9 percent chance of beating Alabama.
The top five of the new Coaches Poll remained the same. Bill Self’s Kansas Jayhawks (5-0) stayed at No. 1 with two-time defending national champion UConn at No. 2. Bruce Pearl’s Auburn Tigers were No. 3. Gonzaga (No. 4) and Iowa State (No. 5) rounded out the top five.
Tennessee rose to No. 6 with Houston at No. 7 and Kentucky at No. 8. Alabama ranked one spot ahead of the Duke Blue Devils and freshman sensation Cooper Flagg.
Full USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll
Rank
Team
Record
Points
1
Kansas
5-0
767 (25)
2
UConn
4-0
717 (2)
3
Auburn
4-0
707 (3)
4
Gonzaga
5-0
689 (1)
5
Iowa…
..
