Tipoff for SEC play is almost underway for Alabama basketball.
Undefeated Oklahoma starts things off for the No. 6 Crimson Tide in a top-10 matchup on Saturday.
The No. 10 Sooners lead the series 7-3, Alabama never having won a game against the first-year SEC members on the road. However, UA (11-2) has taken its last two in Coleman Coliseum, where this game will be played.
Should Oklahoma upset coach Nate Oats and crew in its SEC debut, it will be Alabama’s first loss in Coleman this season and also the program’s only home loss to OU since the series began in 1970.
Alabama vs Oklahoma prediction, picks
Alabama 90, Oklahoma 79: Limiting opponents to just 27.1% from 3-point range and averaging nearly 10 steals per game, the Sooners defense might seem daunting by the numbers. Especially against a UA team that’s turning the ball over 12.7 times per game while making 31.7% of threes compared to 36.7% for OU. Still, Alabama should give Oklahoma its first loss considering the latter’s strength of schedule ranks 341st out of 364 Division I teams per KenPom.
Alabama basketball vs Oklahoma injury update
For Alabama, Pepperdine transfer Houston Mallette is anticipated to return to practice after illness saw him sit out against South Dakota State. The timetable of five-star freshman Derrion Reid’s return remains undetermined after he was seen with a boot on his right ankle on Sunday.
“It’s a little bit of a flare-up from a summer injury, so we’re hoping that clears up quickly and (Reid) can practice by middle of the week and be ready to go by Oklahoma, but we’ll see how it comes,” Oats said.
Long Beach State transfer Jadon Jones (back) and Jeff Nwankwo (Achilles tendon) out of Cowley State remain benched for the Sooners after sustaining injuries in November and October, respectively.
How to watch Alabama basketball vs Oklahoma: Time, TV channel, livestream
Alabama and Oklahoma will tip off conference play at 5 p.m. CT. The SEC Network will broadcast the event live from Tuscaloosa. The contest can also 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.
