Honestly, if you've been watching the Tide lately, your heart rate probably needs a minute to settle. Alabama basketball is basically a high-wire act with no safety net under Nate Oats. One night you’re watching them dismantle a top-tier opponent with 15 three-pointers, and the next, you’re staring at the TV wondering how a team with this much talent can give up 90 points to a middle-of-the-pack SEC squad.
The alabama basketball schedule is designed to be a meat grinder. Oats doesn't do "buy games" the way most coaches do. He wants his guys exposed early and often. We saw it in the non-conference stretch where they faced Purdue, Illinois, Gonzaga, and Arizona. It’s brutal. It’s exhausting. And right now, as we sit in the middle of January 2026, it’s exactly where the drama is peaking.
The Mid-Season Gauntlet: What Just Happened?
The New Year started with a bang. That January 3rd win over Kentucky in Tuscaloosa? Pure magic. Coleman Coliseum was shaking. Labaron Philon Jr. looked like the lottery pick everyone says he is, and the 89-74 victory felt like a statement.
But then, the road happened.
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Going to Nashville to play Vanderbilt on January 7th turned into a nightmare. A 96-90 loss where the defense looked like it stayed on the bus. Then Texas came to town on January 10th and stole one 92-88. Suddenly, a team that was sniffing the Top 10 in the AP Poll was 2-2 in the SEC and everyone started hitting the panic button.
The good news? They just righted the ship. Taking down Mississippi State 97-82 in Starkville on January 13th was massive. It stopped the bleeding. It showed that when this team actually decides to rebound, they are a problem for anyone in the country.
Upcoming Games You Can't Miss
If you're looking at the alabama basketball schedule for the next few weeks, circle these dates in red ink. No, seriously. These aren't just games; they are the season’s inflection points.
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- January 17 at Oklahoma: This is the immediate hurdle. The Sooners have Nijel Pack and Xzayvier Brown. It’s a guard battle. If Alabama’s backcourt doesn't stay disciplined, Pack will light them up from the perimeter.
- January 24 vs. Tennessee: The Vols are coming to Tuscaloosa for a 7:30 p.m. showdown. This is the ultimate "style of play" clash. Tennessee wants to grind you into dust; Alabama wants to run you into the ground.
- February 7 at Auburn: The Iron Bowl on hardwood. There is nothing like it. Neville Arena will be a furnace. If the Tide wants to win the SEC regular-season crown, they have to survive this trip.
The Nate Oats Philosophy: Numbers vs. Reality
People complain about the defense. I get it. Alabama ranks near the bottom of the country in opponents' points per game, giving up over 82. But look at the pace. They play so many possessions that the raw numbers look worse than the actual efficiency.
Still, the rebounding is a legitimate concern. Ranking near the bottom of the NCAA in offensive rebounds allowed is how you lose to teams like Vanderbilt. Aiden Sherrell and Taylor Bol Bowen have to be more physical. You can’t just out-shoot everyone when the shots aren't falling.
Key Players Driving the Schedule
Labaron Philon is the engine. He’s averaging over 21 points and nearly 5 assists. When he’s on, the "Blue Collar Basketball" mantra actually makes sense.
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Then there’s Aden Holloway. The transfer from Auburn has been a spark plug, shooting over 40% from deep. Watching him face his former team on February 7th is going to be high-level theater. Don't forget Latrell Wrightsell Jr., who is finally looking like himself again after that Achilles injury. His veteran presence is usually what keeps the young guys from spiraling when the opposing crowd gets loud.
Why the Tough Schedule Matters for March
Most teams pad their records. Alabama doesn't. They currently have the #1 Strength of Schedule (SOS) in the country according to most metrics.
When the Selection Committee sits down in March, they don't care that Alabama lost a close one to Gonzaga in Vegas or a shootout in Nashville. They care that the Tide played everyone. This schedule is a training camp for the NCAA Tournament.
How to Follow the Rest of the Way
- Check the Tip Times: SEC games are notorious for late starts. The home game against Missouri on January 27th is an 8 p.m. tip. Plan your sleep accordingly.
- Watch the Defensive Efficiency: Don't just look at the final score. Look at whether they are forcing "one hard closeout" and limited second-chance points. That's the metric Oats cares about.
- Tickets are Gold: If you’re trying to get into Coleman for the Tennessee game or the regular-season finale against Auburn on March 7, get them now. They are already trending towards sell-outs on the secondary market.
The road to the Final Four isn't supposed to be easy. If the alabama basketball schedule feels like a rollercoaster, it's because it is. But as we've seen under Nate Oats, this team usually plays their best ball when their backs are against the wall in late February. Keep an eye on that return game against Tennessee in Knoxville on February 28—it might just decide the SEC.
For those planning to attend the upcoming games, make sure to double-check the local broadcast listings as several February matchups have shifted to ESPN or the SEC Network main channel due to the high stakes of the conference race.