WATCH: Alabama basketball’s Grant Nelson talks North Dakota homecoming
For the first time since joining Alabama basketball, Grant Nelson will face old rival North Dakota (4-8) after his departure from North Dakota State.
Back home in Coleman Coliseum, Alabama basketball is out to redeem itself after almost going cold at North Dakota.
The Crimson Tide didn’t look like the No. 7 team in the nation against the Fighting Hawks, but it has a chance to dominate Kent State on Sunday and relieve concerned fans before conference play tips off in January.
Kent State makes the trip from Ohio on a three-game winning streak, including a victory over UA alum and former staffer Antoine Pettway‘s Kennesaw State.
Alabama basketball vs Kent State prediction, picks
Alabama 82, Kent State 70: Kent State (8-2) isn’t first in the MAC because of its offense, but it’s been able to hang in there for some lucky wins despite some lackluster defeats from Auburn and UC Irvine. If Alabama (9-2) doesn’t want a surprise from Kent State, which is limiting offenses to a 39.2% from the field and 30.7% from the arc, UA will have to step it up on both sides of the ball.
Alabama basketball vs Kent State injury update
As UA’s Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (Achilles tendon) remains out for the season, there are no other injuries to report for Alabama or Kent State ahead of Sunday’s matchup.
Chris Youngblood is still able to play after being benched for the majority of non-conference play recovering from ankle surgery. However, coach Nate Oats said during Friday press conferences that it’s visible the USF guard transfer is “not all there.”
“We’ve got to get him healthy …” Oats said. “I do think we can go four guards and have him be one of the guards.”
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How to watch Alabama basketball vs Kent State: Time, TV channel, livestream
Tipoff is set for noon at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa. SEC Network will broadcast the event, which can be streamed via ESPN+ or Fubo.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
