How High Did Alabama Basketball Rise in Week 14's AP Poll?

Where Alabama men's basketball ranks after its victories over Georgia and Mississippi State.

After an eight-week absence from the AP Poll, the Alabama men's basketball team's hot start to SEC play earned them the No. 24 spot in the prestigious top-25 rankings on Jan. 29.

The Crimson Tide had the opportunity to continue making noise this past week against the two Bulldogs in the SEC and they didn't disappoint. The Tide defeated Georgia 85-76 after erasing a 16-point deficit and they decimated Mississippi State 99-67 this past Saturday. These wins helped Alabama rise in the AP Poll once again, as they rank No. 16 in Week 14's list.

The Tide is only striving to climb even higher, as last year they finished the regular season as the No. 1 overall seed in the annual March Madness tournament. It'll be difficult for them to reach the top once again, but their current 8-1 record in the SEC puts them at No. 1 in the conference.

A main factor in Alabama's re-emergence back into the AP Poll in Week 13 was due to its upset win over then-No. 8 Auburn in Tuscaloosa, Ala. However, head coach Nate Oats and his team will be traveling to the Tigers' home floor this time around for part II of basketball's edition of the Iron Bowl on Wednesday, Feb. 7.

After falling to Alabama for its first loss in SEC play, Auburn dropped its very next game against Mississippi State 64-58 and spiraled down to No. 16 in the AP Poll. Facing a lot of critique and concern, the Tigers stormed back this past week with resounding wins against Ole Miss and Vanderbilt by a combined score of 172-131 and are now No. 2 against the conference and No. 12 in the AP Poll.

Alabama may have won the first bout against Auburn this season, but the Tigers' recent responses to setbacks and having possession of home court possession will mean that the Crimson Tide will have to play their best basketball to complete the regular season sweep.

AP Poll Top 25

1. UConn, 20-2
2. Purdue, 21-2
3. North Carolina, 18-4
4. Kansas, 18-4
5. Houston, 19-3
6. Tennessee, 16-5
7. Marquette, 17-5
8. Arizona, 17-5
9. Duke, 16-5
10. Illinois, 17-5
11. Wisconsin, 16-6
12. Auburn, 18-4
13. Baylor, 16-5
14. Iowa State, 16-5
15. South Carolina, 19-3
16. Alabama, 16-6
17. Kentucky, 15-6
18. Dayton, 18-3
19. Creighton, 16-6
20. Florida Atlantic, 18-4
21. BYU, 16-5
22. Utah State, 19-3
23. Texas Tech, 16-5
24. San Diego State, 17-5
25. New Mexico, 18-4

Other receiving votes: Saint Mary's 73, TCU 72, Indiana St 53, Boise St. 49, Colorado St. 43, Virginia 32, Texas 22, Oklahoma 17, Mississippi 10, Washington St 6, Memphis 5, Appalachian St 4, Gonzaga 2, Grand Canyon 1, Michigan St. 1.

How to Watch: No. 24 Alabama Basketball at No. 16 Auburn