Alabama’s No. 1 ranking: Reaction pours in from fans and media about significance

Alabama is ranked No. 1 in this week’s AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll, and the Crimson Tide received a wave of reaction from fans and media.

Some noted coach Nate Oats has accomplished at Alabama, starting with NCAA and SEC Tournament appearances, and now this ranking.

Part of the headline from the news was Alabama is No. 1 for the first time since spending two weeks atop the poll midway through the 2002-03 season. Alabama (22-3, 12-0 SEC) beat Auburn and Florida last week, with its only loss since mid-December coming at Oklahoma in a nonconference game on Jan. 28.

Here’s a sampling of the reaction:

Congratulations to Alabama, which lost to UConn by 15 points, on being voted No. 1 in the AP Poll.

(UConn beat Alabama by 15)

— No Escalators (@NoEscalators) February 13, 2023

Alabama is ranked 1st in the AP poll pic.twitter.com/HGP1I3nS5t

— Zachary Meadows (@zacharymeadows5) February 13, 2023

me: the AP poll literally means nothing

also me: ALABAMA IS #1 IN THE
COUNTRY pic.twitter.com/jAaUqO6fG6

— Nate Oats Burner (@nate_oatsb) February 13, 2023

The world needs to be prepared for Alabama to be ranked #1 in the next @AP poll. It’s about to get crazy.

— BRANDON MILLER BURNER ACCOUNT ➐ (@ballandoats6d9) February 13, 2023

When Nate Oats arrived in Tuscaloosa, Alabama had only made the NCAA Tournament twice in the previous 14 years.

In the 4 years since Nate Oats took over, they’ve made the NCAAT going on 3 times, won the SEC and SECT, currently 12-0 in the SEC, and now a #1 ranking.

Remarkable.

— Jordan Harper (@HarperNation24) February 13, 2023

Alabama Hoops should send a big thank you basket to SEC Officiating for helping them achieve the No. 1 ranking in this week’s AP and Coaches poll. #rolltide

— Andrew Thompson (@andrewt519) February 13, 2023

I never thought i’d see a #1 ranking next to Alabama basketballs name

— Mosby Roy (@mosbyroyy) February 13, 2023

If voters actually pay attention…@AlabamaMBB should be number 1 tomorrow ahead of @UHCougarMBK Don’t overthink it or have @sec fatigue.

— Jimmy Dykes (@CoachJimmyDykes) February 12, 2023

Alabama being number 1 just does not feel real

— Drew Elliott (@DrewElliott55) February 13, 2023

Y’all are so fake wtf is Alabama doing at number 1?? Literally the state places last or almost last in every possible metric!! Stop giving those goat sniffers stuff to brag about https://t.co/tGHsGjorgT

— Kenneth (@Kensoshort) February 13, 2023

I really expected the AP to move Houston to number 1 and leave Alabama behind. Glad they got it right this week. Alabama CLEARLY has an edge. https://t.co/yiVn6OawXk

— Justin Nicosia (@justinnicosia20) February 13, 2023

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.