Where Alabama Basketball Ranks in the AP Poll Ahead of NCAA Tournament

Although an NCAA Tournament four-seed is the number that the Alabama men's basketball team will associate with for the rest of the season, did a one-and-done performance in the SEC Tournament lower its AP Poll rank yet again?

The Alabama men's basketball team has been on a bit of a downward spiral since Feb. 24, as it logged a 2-4 record in the final six games of the regular season. Additionally, even after receiving the No. 3 seed and a double bye in the SEC Tournament, the Crimson Tide fell to Florida in the quarterfinals 102-88.

Alabama has moved down the weekly AP Top 25 Poll after each loss as it ended the regular season at No. 19. But even after falling to Florida due to another sluggish defensive performance, Alabama stayed put at the No. 19 spot in Monday's poll ahead of the annual NCAA Tournament.

Nevertheless, this number won't be the one associated with Alabama for the rest of the college basketball season as the Tide received the No. 4 seed in the West Region of the bracket on Sunday night.

In its first round matchup, Alabama will take on 13-seed Charleston on Friday at 6:35 p.m. CT on truTV. If it wins, it will take on the winner of 5-seed Saint Mary's and 12-seed Grand Canyon in the Round of 32. The Crimson Tide's first weekend games will take place at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena/Delta Center in Spokane, Washington.

Charleston is riding a 12-game winning streak into the tournament, capped by the CAA conference tournament championship game win. Oats didn't yet know much about the Cougars, but planned to immediately begin working on scouting Charleston after he left Sunday night's press conference.

AP Poll Top 25

1. Houston, 28-3
2. UConn, 28-3
3. Purdue, 28-3
4. North Carolina, 25-6
5. Tennessee, 24-7
6. Arizona, 24-7
7. Iowa State, 24-7
8. Creighton, 23-8
9. Kentucky, 23-8
10. Marquette, 23-8
11. Duke, 24-7
12. Auburn, 24-7
13. Illinois, 23-8
14. Baylor, 22-9
15. South Carolina, 25-6
16. Kansas, 22-9
17. Gonzaga, 24-6
18. Utah State, 26-5
19. Alabama, 21-10
20. BYU, 22-9
21. Saint Mary's, 24-7
22. Washington State, 23-8
23. Nevada, 26-6
24. Dayton, 24-6
25. Texas Tech, 22-9

Others receiving votes: Boise St. 46, South Florida 27, San Diego St. 21, Drake 16, Texas 14, James Madison 14, FAU 11, Florida 8, Princeton 7, Nebraska 6, New Mexico 4, Colorado 2, McNeese St. 2, Colorado St. 1, Wake Forest 1, Indiana St 1.

How to Watch NCAA Tournament: No. 4 Alabama Basketball vs. No. 13 Charleston