Alabama men’s basketball has sky-high preseason expectations, and that is reflected in the AP top 25 preseason poll released Monday.

The Crimson Tide is ranked No. 2 in the first poll of the 2024-25 season. Alabama has never been ranked higher than No. 7 in the AP top 25 preseason poll in history.

Kansas was ranked No. 1. UConn is No. 3, Houston is No. 4 and Iowa State is No. 5.

Other ranked SEC teams include No. 11 Auburn, No. 12 Tennessee, No. 13 Texas A&M, No. 16 Arkansas, No. 19 Texas, No. 21 Florida, No. 23 Kentucky and No. 24 Ole Miss.

This season, Alabama will face No. 14 Purdue, No. 4 Houston, No. 25 Rutgers, No. 9 UNC and No. 15 Creighton in the non-conference portion of the regular season schedule.

AP top 25: Preseason media poll

1. Kansas
2. Alabama
3. UConn
4. Houston
5. Iowa State
6. Gonzaga
7. Duke
8. Baylor
9. UNC
10. Arizona
11. Auburn
12. Tennessee
13. Texas A&M
14. Purdue
15. Creighton
16. Arkansas
17. Indiana
18. Marquette
19. Texas
20. Cincinnati
21. Florida
22. UCLA
23. Kentucky
24. Ole Miss
25. Rutgers

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.