The 2026-27 college basketball season has arrived, and Alabama is getting set to open Nate Oats' eighth season in Tuscaloosa on Tuesday night at home against Sam Houston.
The Crimson Tide went 3-0 in their exhibition slate, earning wins over Furman, Ole Miss, and Auburn. Alabama did that without Aden Holloway and with other key pieces such as Jaxon Richardson, Anderson Diaz, and Cole Cloer missing one or more of the three-game stretch.
Oats has once again built a ridiculously tough non-conference schedule, but it's a lighter start to the season than normal. Four of Alabama's first five games come against teams ranked 150th or lower in KenPom's preseason ranking. Seton Hall (65th) is the lone exception.
All five games will be in Coleman Coliseum, too, as Alabama looks to build momentum and work out the kinks before heading to Las Vegas for the Players Era Festival.
Alabama opens the season against a Sam Houston team that went 22-12 last season and made it to the NIT. This is the fourth season under the leadership of head coach Chris Mudge, who has compiled a 56-43 overall record.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of tonight's season opener:
How to watch No. 20 Alabama vs. Sam Houston in regular season opener
- Date: Tuesday, November 3rd
- Time: 6:30 pm CT
- Venue: Coleman Coliseum
- How to Watch (TV): SEC Network+
- Streaming: fubo TV
- Alabama record: 0-0
- Sam Houston record: 0-0
What are the betting odds for Alabama vs. Sam Houston?
Odds courtesy of FanDuel.
Spread: Alabama -26.5
Over/Under: 171.5
Moneyline: Alabama -30000/Sam Houston +5000
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Injury reports for Alabama vs. Sam Houston
Oats said on Monday that freshman Cole Cloer would be "probable" and freshman Anderson Diaz would be "doubtful" for Tuesday night's season opener. Jon Rothstein reported earlier in the week that freshman Jaxon Richardson would be on a minutes restriction once again. Richardson made his debut on a minutes restriction in the final preseason game, logging 10 minutes in the Tide's win over Auburn.
Who are the announcers for Alabama vs. Sam Houston?
On the call for the SEC Network+ will be the hometown broadcast team of Roger Hoover (play-by-play) and Mo Finley (analyst).
Alabama vs. Sam Houston series history
This is the second all-time meeting between Alabama and Sam Houston. The Crimson Tide knocked off the Bearkats 77-58 in the All-College Tournament in Oklahoma City in 1997.
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