College basketball insider Jon Rothstein sees Alabama, Auburn, and Duke in similar rarified air so far during the 2024-25 regular season.

Alabama was ranked No. 11 in the national polls, but picked to finish 10th in the SEC this season, showing just how tough the conference is. The coaches predicted newcomer Texas to win the league with Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas A&M rounding out the top five.

The buzz around Khaman Maluach entering college centered on his 7-foot-2 size, incredible wingspan and ability to block shots. While he's been a deterrent for opponents around the rim -- Duke ranks second in 2-point defense nationally -- Maluach is also starting to come on as a consistent offensive piece.

Duke, Auburn, and Alabama lead championship odds with strong potential. Despite setbacks, missing the Final Four could disappoint given their depth and talent.

In one of the most turbulent weekends of the season so far, five of the top ten teams in Friday's Bracketology projected 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket lost. However, when everyone loses, sometimes nobody loses.

There was change at the top of this week's USA TODAY Sports Bracketology with Alabama rising to a No. 1 seed at the expense of SEC rival Tennessee.

UConn and Kansas opened the 2024-25 season as the teams with the best odds of winning the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Those two programs were followed by Duke, Alabama, Houston to round out the top five. UConn currently has the 17th-shortest odds (45-1) to win the tournament,

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The Duke Blue Devils extended the nation’s longest winning streak to 12 games, surviving Boston College’s early hot shooting and physical play to beat the Eagles behind Cooper Flagg’s 28 points.

Despite Iowa State ’s 64-57 loss at then-unranked West Virginia, the Cyclones moved down just one spot. While Alabama, Florida and Tennessee stayed put, Michigan State (16-2) and Houston (14-3) made significant jumps.

Alabama coach Nate Oats sent a message with the benching of star Mark Sears. Here's what Oats said of his decision to bench Sears vs. LSU:

No. 2 Duke moved up a spot after winning both of its games last week and swapped places with No. 3 Iowa State, which blew out No. 12 Kansas but lost to No. 23 West Virginia. Alabama and Florida rounded out the top five despite each losing a game last week.