In a state entrenched in football tradition, Nate Oats and Bruce Pearl have transformed the Tide and Tigers to the two best teams in college basketball.

Despite all of the awesome football players who have come through Auburn (like Cam Newton), and all of the awesome football players who have come through Alabama (like Jalen Hurts), none of us have ever watched a No.

Anthony and Howard were among the finalists announced Friday by the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame for enshrinement as part of the class of 2025. They both made it as individuals — and for their roles on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team that won gold at the Beijing Games, the so-called "Redeem Team" that also is now one step from induction.

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame named its finalists for the class of 2025 on Friday. As a reminder, the Hall is not limited to figures from the NBA, but rather, encompasses the entire sport of basketball.

Former Nuggets, Knicks icon and 10-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony, eight-time All-WNBA point guard Sue Bird, Dwight Howard and Maya Moore make list.