A common refrain in Tuscaloosa these days: Alabama men’s basketball team “the sky is the limit.”

The squad is full of talent. coaching staff elite. There is experience and potential in every field. Alabama may have the best player in the country in Mark Sears. As a result, the Crimson Tide earned their No. 2 preseason ranking, the highest ever in program history.

So what exactly does the sky mean this season? How high can this team fly?

So what could go wrong at the other end of the spectrum? How will Alabama’s season play out if it doesn’t live up to these sky-high expectations?

The Crimson Tide, in their sixth season under coach Nate Oats, will face UNC Asheville at Coleman Coliseum on Monday (8 p.m. CT, ESPNU). Before the games begin, let’s take a look at the best-case and worst-case scenario for the Crimson Tide in 2024-25.

Best-case scenario for Alabama basketball in 2024-25

Actually it’s very simple: Alabama won the national championship.

If there was ever a season where this wasn’t a crazy scenario, this is it. If Alabama plays to its ability, Oats and company coach to its ability, and the Crimson Tide make the necessary leaps, a national championship is 100% realistic. This may have been over-optimism over the years, but not this time.

Of course, it’s worth noting how difficult it is to win the NCAA Tournament. All it takes is one night and your season is over. Positive matchups can also make a difference. The best team in college basketball won March Madness last year at UConn, but that’s not always the case. The NCAA Tournament could hold all kinds of surprises.

Something that wouldn’t be a surprise? The Crimson Tide are cutting down the net in San Antonio.

This is far from guaranteed to happen, but it fits as a best-case scenario.

Worst case scenario for Alabama basketball

The Crimson Tide lost in the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

It would be absolutely shocking and a complete failure for the season if Alabama failed to make March Madness with this roster. Oats has done this every season except his first (which didn’t even happen because of COVID-19) and has never had a roster this talented. We have no reason to believe these players and coaches will miss the NCAA Tournament.

So, assuming this happens minimally, the worst-case scenario would be not making it past the first weekend. It’s unlikely, but anything can happen during March Madness. Did Alabama have a bad game? A bad matchup could result in a loss before the second weekend.

This team has the desire and talent to win a national title. But there is a reason why the season is being played. Sometimes expectations can be nothing more than preseason fodder. It’s up to Alabama to meet those expectations.

Otherwise, the Crimson Tide may return home sooner than he wants or expects.

Nick Kelly is a beat writer from Alabama. AL.com and Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X And instagram.