A New Chapter for the Crimson Tide
Alabama’s men’s basketball program will open the 2026 ACC/SEC Challenge on December 2 against Miami, renewing a series that has seen the Crimson Tide hold a 3‑1 edge. Their most recent encounter ended in a 96‑64 victory, with Keon Ellis pacing the team with 22 points.
Miami arrives after a 26‑9 season under head coach Jai Lucas, a campaign that featured a run to the West Region’s seventh seed and a win over Missouri before a loss to Purdue. The Hurricanes bring a blend of experience and youthful talent that could test Alabama’s depth.
Alabama’s path to the game follows a fourth straight Sweet 16 appearance, but the roster has been reshaped. Four players entered the transfer portal and one declared for the NBA Draft, prompting the staff to replenish the lineup with fresh transfers and three incoming freshmen. Among the returnees, Amari Allen withdrew from the NBA Draft and is expected to shoulder a larger role next season.
Coach Nate Oats, who has guided the Crimson Tide through a period of rapid growth, will lean on a mix of veteran transfers and newcomers as they prepare for additional matchups against St. John’s and Houston later in the schedule. The non‑conference slate, still being finalized, promises a rigorous test early in the year.