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April 23, 2025
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Alabama Women’s Basketball Final 2024-25 Rankings: A Recap, April 8, 2025

The 2024-25 season for Alabama Women’s Basketball has been one of growth, challenge, and ultimate success. As we now look back at the final rankings released on April 8, 2025, the team’s journey throughout the season has been filled with moments of brilliance, hurdles to overcome, and incredible teamwork. Alabama’s final standing in the rankings reflects the hard work of the players, the strategic acumen of head coach Kristy Curry, and the commitment of the entire program.

The Beginning of the Season

The 2024-25 season for the Alabama women’s basketball team began with high expectations, following a solid performance in the previous year. Alabama’s roster featured a mix of experienced upperclassmen and promising young talent, which led many to believe that this could be a breakthrough year for the program. After a productive offseason, the team had all the right pieces in place, including several star players who were poised to take their game to the next level.

Alabama began the season with a series of non-conference games designed to prepare them for the rigorous Southeastern Conference (SEC) schedule. These early games were critical not only for building team chemistry but also for giving the coaching staff a chance to evaluate new players in game situations. The non-conference slate also provided a series of tune-ups against both ranked and unranked teams, which helped Alabama solidify its identity as a competitive squad with high aspirations.

Strong Start to the Season

In the early part of the season, Alabama women’s basketball appeared as though it would make a statement in the SEC. The team quickly jumped into the rankings with an impressive performance, which included notable victories over tough opponents. Early standout performances from key players like senior guard Jasmine Walker and sophomore forward Alexis Jennings played a major role in the team’s success. Walker’s versatility and Jennings’ presence in the paint made Alabama a formidable force on both ends of the floor. Their strong play helped the team rise to a Top 25 ranking early in the season, and fans began to believe that a deep run in the NCAA tournament could be in the cards.

Alabama’s offense showcased an uptempo style, with fast-break opportunities and a heavy emphasis on ball movement and spacing. This strategy kept opponents on their toes and led to a string of wins. Walker and Jennings, as mentioned earlier, were critical in the offensive schemes, but other contributors like Charisma Osbourne and Kamryn Henson also stepped up in key moments.

However, as the season progressed, the team faced its first real tests. Despite starting strong, Alabama faced a tough stretch in SEC play, which brought out both the strengths and weaknesses of the squad. SEC play is always highly competitive, and Alabama’s challenges reflected the difficulty of competing against some of the best teams in the nation. With schools like South Carolina, LSU, and Tennessee dominating the conference, Alabama’s resilience was tested in each game.

The SEC Grind and Adjustments

As is often the case with any SEC team, the regular season brought a few bumps in the road. Alabama suffered a series of tough losses to some of the nation’s best, but they also had some signature wins against ranked opponents. The ability of the team to regroup after these defeats demonstrated their mental fortitude and desire to compete at the highest level. Coach Kristy Curry’s leadership and ability to adjust in-game became more evident as the season wore on.

In particular, the midseason was defined by Alabama’s battles in close, high-stakes games against SEC opponents. In February 2025, Alabama faced a tough stretch against South Carolina and LSU, two perennial powers in women’s basketball. Despite coming up short in both games, the Tide showed their ability to compete with the best and proved they could hold their own on the big stage. In fact, these matchups helped elevate the team’s profile, as they showcased Alabama’s defensive prowess and ability to execute in critical moments.

One of the season’s turning points came during a thrilling win against Arkansas in late February. The game was a must-win for Alabama to keep their NCAA tournament hopes alive, and the team responded with a determined effort that showcased their improved cohesion. The win against Arkansas was a confidence booster that helped propel the team through the final stretch of SEC play.

The Rise of Fresh Faces

Throughout the 2024-25 season, it became clear that Alabama’s success wasn’t just a product of its veterans. Freshmen and new additions to the roster made significant contributions. Madison Scott, a freshman guard from Texas, emerged as a key player for Alabama with her scoring ability and knack for hitting big shots. Her consistent play provided the team with much-needed depth and flexibility in their rotations. Additionally, Alabama’s freshmen showed remarkable maturity, stepping into roles that required them to perform under pressure in critical moments.

Coach Curry’s ability to develop these young players was a testament to her commitment to building a long-term foundation for success at Alabama. It was clear that this team wasn’t just playing for the 2024-25 season; they were playing to build something sustainable for future years.

NCAA Tournament Hopes

Heading into March, Alabama was firmly on the NCAA tournament bubble. Despite some early season struggles, their strong non-conference performance and competitive SEC play had kept them in the hunt. The Tide had earned enough signature wins and had a resume that impressed many pundits and analysts.

Alabama’s NCAA tournament hopes were largely contingent on their performance in the SEC tournament. The Crimson Tide entered the tournament as a middle-of-the-pack team but came out with a statement victory over Missouri in the opening round. This was followed by a tough loss to Tennessee in the quarterfinals, but the team’s strong showing was enough to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament, earning them a No. 7 seed.

In the tournament, Alabama faced tough opposition, but the team’s experience, led by Walker and Jennings, allowed them to navigate through tough matchups. Alabama made a run to the Sweet 16, where they faced off against a dominant South Carolina team. While they ultimately fell short, their performance in the tournament provided fans with hope for the future.

Key Players of the Season

Throughout the 2024-25 season, several players emerged as key contributors for Alabama Women’s Basketball.

  1. Jasmine Walker – The senior guard was the cornerstone of the team, providing leadership, scoring, and defensive presence. Her ability to score both inside and outside the paint made her a matchup nightmare for opponents.
  2. Alexis Jennings – A dominant force in the post, Jennings continued to be one of the best rebounding and shot-blocking players in the SEC. Her physicality in the paint was a major asset to Alabama’s defense and offense.
  3. Charisma Osbourne – A versatile forward who was known for her scoring ability, Osbourne’s clutch performances helped Alabama in several tight games. Her scoring outbursts were pivotal in some of Alabama’s biggest wins.
  4. Kamryn Henson – The guard’s steady playmaking ability was crucial for Alabama, as she often facilitated the offense and played a crucial role in both half-court and transition sets.
  5. Madison Scott – The freshman’s emergence as a scoring threat and steady defender made her an indispensable part of the roster. Her development during the season pointed to a bright future for the program.

The Final Rankings and What’s Next

As the final rankings were announced on April 8, 2025, Alabama found themselves ranked No. 15 in the country, a fitting end to a season that was both challenging and rewarding. Despite some tough losses in SEC play and a Sweet 16 exit from the NCAA tournament, Alabama’s overall performance had been one of the most impressive in recent memory.

This ranking not only reflected their growth throughout the season but also underscored the development of the program under Coach Kristy Curry. Alabama had gone from a team on the NCAA tournament bubble to one of the more respected programs in the nation. With the foundation set by the leadership of Walker, Jennings, and the development of the younger players, Alabama’s future looks bright.

Looking ahead, Alabama’s 2025-26 season promises to build on the success of this year. With several key players returning and an influx of new talent, the Crimson Tide women’s basketball program is poised to continue its upward trajectory. Coach Curry has made great strides in establishing a competitive program that is capable of challenging the best teams in the nation.

The 2024-25 season was one of growth and excitement for Alabama Women’s Basketball. While the team didn’t win it all, their performance in the final rankings demonstrated their competitive spirit, resilience, and potential. As they continue to build upon this year’s successes, Alabama is a team to watch in the coming seasons, with a bright future ahead.

The program’s commitment to improvement, strong leadership, and talented players ensures that Alabama will continue to be a formidable presence in women’s college basketball for years to come.

 

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