Alabama Rises to Four-Seed in Latest ESPN Bracketology

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Despite not having star player Charles Bediako after his injunction was denied, the Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Ole Miss Rebels on Wednesday night to claim their 17th victory of the season and seventh in SEC play. This strong showing saw the Tide rise to a four-seed in the latest bracketology update from ESPN's Joe Lunardi, up from a previous five-seed projection.

Why it matters

Alabama’s rise in the bracketology rankings is significant, as it puts the Crimson Tide in position for a higher seed and potentially easier path in the upcoming NCAA men’s basketball tournament. This comes despite the team’s recent injury troubles, highlighting their resilience and depth.

The details

In Lunardi’s latest bracketology, the Alabama Crimson Tide are now projected as the lowest-rated four-seed, playing in the Midwest region. The top four seeds in that region are Michigan as the one-seed, Iowa State as the two-seed, Michigan State as the three-seed, and Alabama as the four-seed.

• On Wednesday night, Alabama defeated the Ole Miss Rebels.
• In early January, Alabama was previously projected as a three-seed, immediately following their victory over Kentucky to open SEC play.

What’s next

Alabama’s next few games could help determine where it sits in the bracketology, with a game against South Carolina on Saturday that they should handle with relative ease, followed by a matchup against the 21st-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks next Wednesday. Arkansas is currently projected as a five-seed in Lunardi’s bracketology.