Non-conference play is done and Alabama basketball is soon to be reunited with its friends and foes of the SEC.
Oklahoma tips off the Crimson Tide‘s 2024-25 conference schedule at Coleman Coliseum on Saturday, Jan. 4. Before coach Nate Oats, Mark Sears and the Alabama squad open the new year, take a look at the Tuscaloosa News’ game-by-game breakdown for the rest of the regular season.
Are these games gimmes for Alabama basketball?
At South Carolina, Jan. 8
Alabama could get a run for its money in Nick Pringle, who transferred from UA to South Carolina and is averaging 10.3 points and 6.8 rebounds. UA has won the last nine contests between the two, including an overtime game at Colonial Life Arena in February 2023.
Vanderbilt, Jan. 21
Turnovers nearly saw Vanderbilt take last season’s league opener. Alabama is averaging 12.7 per game entering conference play. Ideally, UA would be settled in by late January.
At Texas, Feb. 11
The Longhorns will have been tested by Auburn, Tennessee, Florida − plus a common opponent in Oklahoma. Just don’t ignore results like the season-opening loss vs. Ohio State and at home against UConn. Texas has been a second-half threat, but if Alabama focuses on closing out quick, first-half leads, this should be a lock.
SEC squads that might put Alabama on upset alert
Oklahoma, Jan. 4
Oklahoma picked up some quality wins in its non-conference schedule, beating Louisville and Oklahoma State while knocking Arizona out of the top 25. However, the Sooners, freshly ranked at No. 10, have had an otherwise easy slate.
At Texas A&M, Jan. 11
The Aggies will be formidable. Last season, A&M was battle-tested by its pre-conference schedule but had a rocky start to league play. This year, it’s been more equipped to handle the challenges, beating Quad 1 teams Texas Tech and Purdue and Quad 2s Ohio State, Creighton and Rutgers. Oregon downed UA and A&M both at the Players Era Festival.
Ole Miss, Jan. 14
With losses only to Purdue and Memphis, Ole Miss has caused problems with four players averaging double digits. Tests along the way like Louisville and BYU have been good, but not great. Georgia, Arkansas and LSU will expose some hard truths about Mississippi before the Rebels come to Tuscaloosa.
LSU, Jan. 25
The Tigers are long, lean and bring a defense that helped them go unscathed for the majority of a so-so non-conference slate. LSU lost its Quad 1 games to Pittsburgh and SMU by an average 9.5 points.
At Mississippi State, Jan. 29 | vs. Mississippi State, Feb. 25
State has managed well despite some slow starts and inconsistency down the roster beyond Josh Hubbard. Alabama can leave Starkville with a win, but ball security has to be a focus with the Bulldogs averaging 10.3 steals per game to 6.3 per contest for UA.
Georgia, Feb. 1
While off to its best start since the 2001-02 season, Georgia has work to do before it’s deemed legit. The Bulldogs have three Quad 3 wins and eight in Quad 4s with a 1-1 record in Quad 1. St. John’s let UGA squeak by with a 3-point win following an 11-point loss to Marquette.
At Missouri, Feb. 19
Mizzou will give Alabama its best as it looks to prove itself as an NCAA Tournament contender, backed by 76-67 win over former No. 1 Kansas. However, Missouri lost 83-75 to Memphis, which UA handled in an exhibition.
Basketball schools and the bluebloods
At Kentucky, Jan. 18 | vs. Kentucky, Feb. 22
If Alabama doesn’t walk away with a win at Kentucky, it’ll have a second go in Coleman.
The Crimson Tide travels, and it showed with a victory at UNC. It’s hard to imagine it wouldn’t for UK. Should shots still not be falling in January, UA will need the crowd support to go toe-to-toe with one of the country’s top offenses.
At Arkansas, Feb. 8
The same month UA denied the Fighting Illini, Arkansas got rocked by Illinois, but moving parts like last season’s loss to John Calipari’s Kentucky and an overtime scare from the Razorbacks put together what will probably be a close one. Plus, Arkansas hit a turning point with an 89-87 upset of Michigan on Dec. 10.
Auburn, Feb. 15 | at Auburn, Mar. 8
After going 1-1 in the series last year, the rivalry will be thicker than usual. UA flipped former Auburn commit Labaron Philon and grabbed ex-AU point guard Aden Holloway out of the portal. Auburn spent the majority of non-conference play ranked No. 2, steadily ahead of Alabama.
At Tennessee, Mar. 1
UA is due for a get-back game after last season’s two losses to Tennessee, the squad that swiped a No. 1 spot that belonged to Kansas. Alabama’s last win in Knoxville came in 2021, the days of 3-point assassin John Petty Jr., who helped forge the more recent successes over the Vols.
Florida, Mar. 5
The Gators rallied against a hungry UNC for a six-point win, a far cry from Alabama’s 15-point victory. Still, UF’s defense is relentless. Through 10 games, Florida has outrebounded opponents by more than 10 boards per contest while holding offenses to just 38.2% from the field and 30% from the arc.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
