The college basketball world is laser-focused on the Iron Bowl of Basketball, marking the first-ever No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown in SEC history. Tomorrow, these fierce rivals clash on the court in what will be the biggest test of the season for either team. Both squads have endured grueling schedules, but no game has carried as much weight as this one.
Beyond the usual bragging rights that come with defeating a rival, Saturday’s winner will gain a significant edge in the race for the SEC regular-season title. The Crimson Tide and Tigers currently sit tied for first place in the conference with identical 10-1 records.
Beating Auburn will be a formidable task for Alabama, even with the home-court advantage of Coleman Coliseum. The Tigers have been the most dominant team in college basketball this season, a reputation solidified by their No. 1 ranking in the AP Poll despite a recent home loss to Florida.
For Alabama to come out on top, they’ll need to bring their absolute best—something they’ve struggled to maintain for a full 40 minutes. Nate Oats’ squad often excels in one half but falters in the other, particularly on defense. This pattern was evident in Tuesday night’s victory over Texas in Austin. Alabama put on a defensive clinic in the first half but then allowed the Longhorns to score 49 points in the second half.
Alabama nearly let a big lead slip away last Saturday against Arkansas. The Tide were up by 16 points with just six minutes remaining but had to fend off a furious Razorback comeback to secure the win at Bud Walton Arena.
To defeat Auburn on Saturday, Alabama must deliver a complete 40-minute performance. The Tigers are too strong to be beaten by anything less than Alabama’s best effort.
3 Keys to an Alabama Victory Over Auburn
3. Protect the Basketball
Turnovers have been a recurring issue for Alabama. While Oats’ high-speed system naturally leads to a higher turnover rate compared to most teams, recent performances have highlighted an even greater struggle to maintain possession. Cleaning up this area will be critical if the Tide hope to keep Auburn at bay.
In SEC play, Alabama is turning the ball over on 18.7% of its possessions. This issue was glaring in last month’s home loss to Ole Miss, where the Tide had more turnovers than made field goals.
Auburn’s aggressive man-to-man defense is adept at forcing turnovers, which only adds to Alabama’s challenge. However, Alabama doesn’t usually need much help in this department, as self-inflicted mistakes have been a common theme. If turnovers pile up on Saturday, it could be disastrous for the Tide.
2. Shoot the Ball Well
While it’s unrealistic to expect Alabama to replicate its shooting performance from Tuesday against Texas, it sure would be a welcome sight.
In that 103-80 win, the Tide shot over 60% from the field, hit 17-of-29 from beyond the arc, and went an impressive 18-of-20 from the free-throw line. When Alabama shoots like that, they’re virtually unstoppable. While those numbers may not be sustainable, a strong shooting night will still be crucial to taking down Auburn.
Alabama doesn’t need a scorching hot shooting performance to beat Auburn, but they can’t afford an off night either. Consistency will be the key.
The Tide’s three-point shooting has significantly improved in SEC play, where they’re hitting 38.4% from beyond the arc—good for second in the conference. Aden Holloway has been exceptional, emerging as one of the top shooters in the country during SEC play, sinking 50% of his three-point attempts. Chris Youngblood has been just as reliable, shooting 41.4% from deep, while Jarin Stevenson has bounced back from his early struggles. After starting the season 0-of-18 from three, Stevenson has found his rhythm, shooting 38% overall and going 4-of-5 from beyond the arc in a breakout 22-point game on Tuesday.
Mark Sears, who had shooting struggles earlier in the season, has also elevated his game, shooting 37.7% from deep in SEC play. The exciting part? Sears has the potential to hit an even higher level. Last season, he was one of the most efficient players in the nation, and a return to that form could be a game-changer for Alabama.
Grant Nelson, Labaron Philon, and Mo Dioubate have been inconsistent from three-point range, but if one or two of them can hit a few shots from deep, it would provide a significant boost for Alabama.
That said, finishing at the rim will be no small task against Auburn’s imposing frontcourt duo of Johni Broome and Dylan Cardwell. To counter their interior dominance, Alabama will need to connect on enough threes to stretch Auburn’s defense and draw their big men out of the paint.
1. Dominate the Offensive Glass
Despite having one of the largest frontcourts in the nation, Auburn surprisingly gives up a lot of offensive rebounds. With Broome playing at forward alongside Cardwell, their size should theoretically make them tougher on the boards, but there are opportunities to exploit.
For Alabama, crashing the offensive glass will be crucial. Securing second-chance points can tilt the game in their favor and alleviate some pressure on their outside shooting. Winning this battle on the boards could be the deciding factor in a tightly contested game.
Grant Nelson, Labaron Philon, and Mo Dioubate have been inconsistent from three-point range, but if one or two of them can hit a few shots from deep, it would provide a significant boost for Alabama.
That said, finishing at the rim will be no small task against Auburn’s imposing frontcourt duo of Johni Broome and Dylan Cardwell. To counter their interior dominance, Alabama will need to connect on enough threes to stretch Auburn’s defense and draw their big men out of the paint.
1. Dominate the Offensive Glass
Despite having one of the largest frontcourts in the nation, Auburn surprisingly gives up a lot of offensive rebounds. With Broome playing at forward alongside Cardwell, their size should theoretically make them tougher on the boards, but there are opportunities to exploit.
For Alabama, crashing the offensive glass will be crucial. Securing second-chance points can tilt the game in their favor and alleviate some pressure on their outside shooting. Winning this battle on the boards could be the deciding factor in a tightly contested game.
