A new look Alabama men’s basketball roster is still viewed as one of the top 25 teams nationally, at least according to the Associated Press voters. The Crimson Tide was ranked 24th in the preseason edition of the poll released on Monday morning.

Kansas was slotted as the first team in the country, earning 46 of the 63 first-place votes. The top five rounded out with Duke, Purdue, Michigan State and Marquette. UConn, the defending national champions, was placed sixth.

Alabama was one of five Southeastern Conference teams ranked. Auburn, Mississippi State and Missouri received votes.

In the final edition of last season’s poll, Nate Oats’ squad was ranked first overall. UA started the 2022-23 season 20th overall and had climbed into the top five by mid-January. In addition to three new assistant coaches, Alabama has a mostly restocked roster after the loss of two NBA first-round draftees.

Alabama’s roster features the returning Mark Sears and Rylan Griffen. Six-foot-11 forward Grant Nelson highlights an incoming transfer class expected to replace lost production.

Based on the preseason ranks, Alabama will play five ranked opponents: No. 3 Purdue on Dec. 9, No. 8 Creighton on Dec. 16, No. 12 Arizona on Dec. 20, No. 9 Tennessee on Jan. 20 and Jan. 24, No. 15 Texas A&M on Feb. 17 on Feb. 24.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].