If you woke up this morning wondering who did Alabama Crimson Tide play yesterday, you aren't alone. Between the chaos of the SEC schedule and the fact that several Bama teams were in action on Friday, January 16, 2026, it’s easy to lose track.
Honestly, it was a busy day for the Tide across the board. While the men’s basketball team was traveling to Norman for their big Saturday showdown with Oklahoma, the women’s programs were holding down the fort in Tuscaloosa and Gainesville.
The Friday Night Gymnastics Battle in Gainesville
The biggest headline from yesterday came from the gymnastics floor. The Alabama Crimson Tide took on the top-ranked Florida Gators in a hostile Gainesville environment.
It was a nail-biter. Alabama eventually fell just short, with a final score of 197.425 to 197.275. Losing by a fraction of a point is always tough to swallow, but there were some massive bright spots for the Tide.
Azaraya Ra-Akbar was basically a superstar on Friday night. Making her all-around debut, she put up a massive 39.600. She even snagged the individual title for the all-around.
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Then you’ve got Chloe LaCoursiere, who was lights out on the uneven bars. She posted a career-high 9.975. That’s nearly perfect. The Tide’s bars rotation as a whole was ranked second in the nation by the time the night ended. Even in a loss, this team looks like a legitimate contender.
Tennis Doubleheader Dominance in Tuscaloosa
While the gymnasts were fighting it out in Florida, the women’s tennis team was busy at the Roberta Alison Baumgardner Tennis Facility. They didn’t just play one match; they played two.
First up was North Alabama. The Tide handled them easily with a 4-0 sweep. Karla Bartel and Amina Salibayeva were both incredibly efficient, winning their singles matches in straight sets (6-1, 6-1 for both).
Later in the day, they kept that momentum going against Jackson State. That one ended in a 7-0 victory for Alabama. It’s early in the season, but starting 2-0 with two shutouts is a statement. The doubles pairing of Kristina Paskauskas and Karla Bartel looked particularly sharp, clinching points in both matches without much of a struggle.
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What Happened to the Football Team?
A lot of people asking who did Alabama Crimson Tide play yesterday are actually looking for football scores. If you’re a football fan, things have been a bit quiet since the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day.
As a quick refresher, Alabama’s season ended with that tough 38-3 loss to Indiana in the CFP semifinals. Yesterday, the news surrounding the football program was mostly about the future.
The 2026 schedule is already out, and it’s looking like a gauntlet. We’re talking about a new nine-game SEC format. The Tide will open the 2026 season on September 5 against East Carolina. They also have a massive non-conference game against Florida State on September 19.
Looking Ahead to Today’s Basketball Action
If you were looking for a men's basketball score from yesterday, you won’t find one. Nate Oats and the No. 18 Crimson Tide had the day off from competition to travel to Oklahoma.
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They are playing the Sooners today, Saturday, January 17.
This is a pretty big deal because it’s the first time Alabama is playing Oklahoma as a fellow SEC member in Norman. Alabama is coming off a huge 97-82 win over Mississippi State where Labaron Philon went off for 32 points.
Why the Oklahoma Game Matters
- SEC Standings: Alabama is currently 2-2 in the conference. They need this road win to stay in the hunt for a top seed in the SEC tournament.
- Philon’s Heat Check: Labaron Philon is averaging nearly 22 points over his recent stretch. Everyone is watching to see if he can maintain that pace.
- The Holloway Factor: Aden Holloway has been lethal from three-point range, shooting 47%. If he stays hot, the Sooners are going to have a long afternoon.
Actionable Takeaways for Bama Fans
Staying updated on the Tide requires checking more than just the football box scores.
If you want to follow the action today, the Alabama vs. Oklahoma men’s basketball game tips off at 12:00 p.m. CT on the SEC Network. You can also catch the radio broadcast on the Crimson Tide Sports Network.
For those tracking the gymnastics team, their next big home meet is coming up soon at Coleman Coliseum. Even with the loss to Florida, their scores are high enough to keep them safely in the Top 10 nationally.
Make sure you’ve bookmarked the official athletics site or have the "Roll Tide" app. Schedule changes happen, especially with the new SEC expansions, and you don’t want to miss a tip-off or a first serve just because the calendar shifted.