So, you’re trying to figure out when the Crimson Tide takes the field this Saturday. It's a bit of a weird time in Tuscaloosa right now.
The short answer is: Alabama men’s basketball plays Oklahoma this Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 12:00 PM CST.
If you were looking for the football team, things are a little quieter. The Tide’s playoff run actually ended a couple of weeks ago. After a solid win over Oklahoma in the first round (34-24), Bama ran into a buzzsaw in the Quarterfinals. They fell to the Indiana Hoosiers 38-3 on New Year's Day.
Honestly, seeing Alabama out of the football hunt by mid-January feels wrong. We're so used to those late-January national championship appearances that a Saturday without Bama football in the winter feels like a glitch in the matrix.
But life goes on in the SEC.
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When Does Alabama Play Saturday: The Hardwood Matchup
While the pads are off, the sneakers are squeaking. Nate Oats has the basketball squad heading to Norman, Oklahoma, for a high-noon showdown.
This isn't just a random non-conference game. This is a look at the "new" SEC. With Oklahoma firmly entrenched in the conference, these matchups have a different weight to them. You’ve got a high-octane Alabama offense that basically tries to shoot a three-pointer every eight seconds vs. a Sooners team that is always tough at the Lloyd Noble Center.
- Game Time: 12:00 PM CST (High Noon)
- Opponent: Oklahoma Sooners
- Location: Lloyd Noble Center, Norman, OK
- Broadcast: Expect this on ESPN or SEC Network, depending on your local listings.
The Tide is coming off some mixed results. They've shown they can score 100 on anyone, but the defense is still a work in progress. That’s the Nate Oats experience, right? You’re either cheering for a blowout or biting your nails because the other team just hit four straight triples.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Football Season
Since there’s no football this Saturday, fans are already looking at the 2026 schedule that was released just a few weeks ago. It’s a landmark year. Why? Because the SEC is officially moving to a nine-game conference schedule.
Basically, the "cupcake" games are disappearing.
Alabama’s 2026 schedule is one of the most brutal we've seen in years. It kicks off on September 5 against East Carolina, but the real shocker is Week 2. Usually, Bama plays a smaller school in Week 2 to tune up. Not this time. They travel to Lexington to face Kentucky on September 12.
That’s the earliest Alabama has played an SEC game since 2007. Remember Nick Saban’s first year? That was the last time they dived into conference play this quickly. It’s a bold move by the SEC, and it means the Tide has to be "game-ready" much earlier in the fall.
Why the Saturday Schedule Matters More Than Ever
The shift to the 12-team (and now discussions of 14-team) playoff has changed how we view these Saturdays. Used to be, one loss in October meant your season was over. Now? You can survive a stumble.
But the 2025-26 season showed that even Alabama isn't immune to the "new" playoff chaos. Falling to Indiana in the Rose Bowl was a wake-up call. It proved that the gap between the traditional blue-bloods and the rest of the pack is shrinking.
When you ask when does alabama play saturday, you’re usually looking for a kickoff time. But this time of year, it's about the transition from the gridiron to the court.
The Key Dates You Need to Know
If you're planning your weekends for the rest of January, keep these on your radar:
- January 17: At Oklahoma (12:00 PM CST) - The big one this weekend.
- January 24: Vs. Tennessee (7:30 PM CST) - A massive rivalry game at Coleman Coliseum.
- January 27: Vs. Missouri (8:00 PM CST) - A Tuesday night tilt that could be a trap game.
The Tennessee game on the 24th is the one everyone has circled. If you haven't seen the atmosphere at Coleman for a night game against the Vols, you're missing out. It’s loud. It’s sweaty. It’s everything college basketball should be.
Moving Toward a New Era
The 2026 season will feature some massive home games at Bryant-Denny. We’re talking Georgia on October 10 and Texas A&M on October 24.
But for now, it’s all about the round ball.
If you're heading to Norman or just watching from the couch in Tuscaloosa, make sure your DVR is set for noon. The Sooners have a way of making things ugly for visitors, and Alabama will need to find their rhythm early to avoid an upset.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the injury reports for the basketball team. These mid-January road trips are notorious for "load management" or minor tweaks that can change the spread in a heartbeat. Check the official Roll Tide website or your favorite beat writer on X (formerly Twitter) about an hour before tip-off for the finalized starting lineup.
The 2026 athletic calendar is moving fast. Don't get left behind.