Where KenPom ranks Alabama basketball after their victory over Auburn on the road

The 2025 college basketball season has seen several electrifying matchups, but few have had the level of drama and intensity as Alabama’s recent victory over Auburn. The Crimson Tide, who have been one of the most talked-about teams in the nation, traveled to Auburn Arena, where they delivered a gritty performance, defeating the Tigers in a thrilling overtime contest. The game was a microcosm of everything that has made Alabama’s season so compelling: a combination of tough defense, fast-paced offense, and clutch moments under pressure. The victory not only solidified their position within the SEC but also bolstered their standing in national rankings, especially on KenPom, a widely respected advanced metrics site that offers deep insights into the efficiency and performance of teams across the country.

Following Alabama’s dramatic victory over Auburn, which included a buzzer-beating shot from Mark Sears, the team’s ranking on KenPom became a topic of much discussion. As of now, Alabama sits comfortably within the top ranks of the site, reflecting both the impact of the win and their consistent play throughout the season. In this analysis, we’ll explore how KenPom evaluates Alabama’s performance after this crucial victory, what specific metrics are influencing their rank, and what this means for the Crimson Tide as they push toward the postseason.

KenPom and Its Significance in College Basketball Rankings

Before delving into the specifics of where Alabama ranks, it’s important to understand what KenPom is and why it is so significant in the world of college basketball. Developed by Ken Pomeroy, the KenPom rankings are based on advanced metrics and statistical analysis, focusing primarily on offensive efficiency, defensive efficiency, and tempo. These rankings are widely regarded as some of the most accurate predictors of NCAA Tournament success, as they evaluate teams based on how efficiently they play on both ends of the floor, their style of play, and their ability to maintain that level of performance over the course of the season.

KenPom’s methodology is rooted in several key stats:

1. Offensive Efficiency – A measure of how many points a team scores per 100 possessions.
2. Defensive Efficiency – A measure of how many points a team allows per 100 possessions.
3. Tempo – A measure of how fast a team plays, indicating the number of possessions per game.
4. Strength of Schedule – The difficulty of a team’s opponents over the course of the season.
5. Adjusted Efficiency – This adjusts the metrics to account for the strength of a team’s competition, offering a more precise view of their performance in context.

Given these factors, KenPom rankings provide a more nuanced view of a team’s performance than traditional rankings based solely on wins and losses.

Alabama’s Position Before and After the Auburn Win

Prior to their victory over Auburn, Alabama was already one of the top-ranked teams in the KenPom system. Coming into the game, they had been consistently ranked in the top 5 nationally, with their blend of offensive firepower and defensive prowess earning them high marks in both efficiency categories.

Alabama entered the game against Auburn with a KenPom ranking of No. 3. Their offense had been one of the best in the nation, with offensive efficiency that ranked in the top 10. They had a fast tempo, averaging around 70-75 possessions per game, and their scoring was powered by dynamic players like Brandon Miller, Mark Sears, and Noah Gurley. Their ability to shoot from beyond the arc, penetrate defenses, and create open shots was one of the key reasons they had been so successful.

Defensively, Alabama had been equally impressive. Their defensive efficiency ranked in the top 20, and they had shown an ability to disrupt opponents’ offenses by forcing turnovers, contesting shots, and being relentless on the boards. The Tide’s high-pressure defense and their ability to force teams to play at their tempo made them one of the most challenging teams to match up against in the country.

The victory over Auburn, however, was a defining moment for Alabama in the 2025 season. It wasn’t just that the Crimson Tide won, but the manner in which they did so. Coming from behind in a hostile environment and securing a victory in overtime demonstrated their mental toughness and ability to execute under pressure. This performance, especially Mark Sears’ dramatic buzzer-beater, sent a clear message: Alabama is a team capable of handling adversity and still coming out on top. In turn, this win contributed to their rise in the rankings.

Alabama’s KenPom Ranking After the Auburn Victory

Following the win over Auburn, Alabama’s KenPom ranking moved up to No. 2 in the nation. This jump was a reflection of their improved efficiency metrics after the victory, along with the national attention their dramatic win brought. Let’s break down how the key metrics and adjustments following the Auburn win helped propel Alabama even further up the KenPom rankings:

1. Offensive Efficiency: Alabama’s offense was already one of the best in the nation, but their performance against Auburn cemented their spot among the elite. Mark Sears’ late-game heroics were symbolic of the Crimson Tide’s ability to execute in crucial moments, and their offensive efficiency was further bolstered by this game. While Auburn is a team that prides itself on defense, Alabama’s ability to score efficiently in such a high-pressure game proved their offensive mettle. The Crimson Tide’s offensive efficiency remained in the top 10 nationally, and this win only further validated their potency on that end of the floor.
2. Defensive Efficiency: Alabama’s defense has always been a key factor in their success, and their performance against Auburn demonstrated their ability to stay composed in difficult situations. While Auburn managed to score 90 points in an overtime game, Alabama’s defense forced the Tigers into tough shot selections and was instrumental in getting crucial stops when needed. Alabama’s defensive efficiency stayed in the top 20, indicating that despite the high-scoring nature of the game, their defense was still effective overall. The Tide’s ability to hold teams in check, even when the game was fast-paced and high-scoring, speaks volumes about their defensive system.
3. Tempo: One of Alabama’s strengths all season has been their ability to play at a high tempo, forcing teams to match their pace. In the Auburn game, they controlled the tempo of the overtime period and were able to dictate the flow of the game in the final moments. This up-tempo style is something that has worked to their advantage throughout the season, and it played a significant role in their win over Auburn. The Crimson Tide’s fast pace ensures that opponents can’t settle into a rhythm, which has made them difficult to defend. Their high tempo contributes to their offensive efficiency while also allowing them to create more opportunities on the defensive end.
4. Strength of Schedule: Another reason Alabama’s rise in the KenPom rankings was justified by their win over Auburn is due to the difficulty of their strength of schedule. The SEC is home to some of the toughest teams in the country, and Alabama’s ability to win on the road in a hostile environment like Auburn Arena showcased their ability to compete at the highest level. Beating a high-quality team like Auburn on their home court adds a significant strength to Alabama’s overall résumé. The win over Auburn also improved their net efficiency as they faced yet another ranked opponent in one of the toughest environments possible. With games against other top-tier SEC teams still remaining, this victory solidified Alabama as a top-tier contender in the national landscape.

What This Means for Alabama Going Forward

Now that Alabama sits at No. 2 in KenPom, the team finds itself in an excellent position heading into the final stretch of the season and the upcoming NCAA Tournament. With a combination of elite offensive and defensive metrics, they have proven themselves to be one of the most well-rounded teams in the nation.

The win over Auburn has sent a strong message to other NCAA contenders: Alabama is not only an elite team but also one that can deliver in clutch moments. Mark Sears’ buzzer-beater in that hostile environment adds to their already impressive resume, and it highlights their potential for success in March.

As they head into the postseason, Alabama will need to maintain their defensive prowess, continue executing their high-paced offense, and ensure they are not caught off guard by teams that may be better suited to play at slower tempos. Their current positioning in the KenPom rankings reflects the strength of their overall game, and with the potential for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, they will be a team to watch closely in the coming weeks.