Alabama basketball has a huge opportunity on Saturday in Birmingham against AP No. 1 Arizona to pad an already impressive NCAA Tournament resume. The Crimson Tide has racked up three Quad 1 victories in non-conference play already, beating St. John's, Illinois, and Clemson. A win over Arizona would be a fourth, and the most impressive to date.
Nate Oats' team has been pretty banged up recently, though, and if they want a chance to knock off the Wildcats, they'll need their full complement of weapons available.
According to CBS college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, Alabama is expected to have both Taylor Bol Bowen and Keitenn Bristow back in the front court. Both missed Alabama's win over UTSA on Sunday, and Bristow also missed the two previous games against Clemson and Maryland.
Against a stout Arizona frontcourt, adding Bol Bowen and Bristow back to the rotation will be pivotal.
But the Crimson Tide also needs as much firepower as they can get, and the status of their second-leading scorer remains in doubt.
According to Rothstein, Holloway will be a "game-day decision" against Arizona:
Alabama's Taylor Bol Bowen (back) and Keitenn Bristow (leg) are expected to be available for Saturday's game against Arizona in Birmingham, per Nate Oats.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) December 11, 2025
Aden Holloway (wrist) is likely to be a "game-day decision".
Averages 18.2 PPG.
Has not played since 11/26.
Aden Holloway is a game-day decision vs. Arizona
Holloway injured his wrist during the preseason, and it has continued to cause him problems despite his hot start to the season. Holloway sat out the opener against North Dakota, but played the next six games for the Crimson Tide. He has missed the last two games against Clemson and UTSA in hopes that he would be healed up enough to play on Saturday against Arizona.
Holloway is the Crimson Tide's second-leading scorer behind Labaron Philon, averaging 18.2 points and 4.3 assists per game, connecting on 47% from the field and 43% from three-point range.
Holloway is one of the nation's elite outside shooters, and paired with Philon, he gives the Crimson Tide arguably the most electric backcourt in college basketball. With Latrell Wrightsell returning and Miami (FL) transfer Jalil Bethea making his Tide debut last week, there may not be a better or deeper backcourt in the country than the one in Tuscaloosa.
If Alabama wants to pull out the win over top-ranked Arizona, it will need Holloway to be able to play.
The Crimson Tide has looked like one of the best teams in college basketball this season without being fully healthy. It'll be fascinating to watch this team once everyone is able to play. That could come as early as Saturday night in Birmingham if Holloway can go.