The SEC is going to be one of the toughest conferences in all of college basketball this year with nine teams ranked in the preseason AP Top 25. The Alabama Crimson Tide debuted at No. 2 and have serious national title aspirations after making their first-ever Final Four a year ago.

Analyzing Monday’s UNC Asheville at Alabama odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

Here are three takeaways from Alabama basketball's season-opening victory over UNC Asheville on Monday at Coleman Coliseum.