The 2025-26 season has been anything but predictable for Alabama basketball. A team that came in with high expectations has seen its fair share of bumps-some expected, some not.
Now, as No. 17 Alabama (13-5, 3-2 SEC) gears up for a critical showdown with Tennessee, there’s a new wrinkle that could change the trajectory of the Tide’s season: the return of Charles Bediako.
Yes, that Charles Bediako.
For the first time since the 2023 Sweet 16, the 7-footer is suiting up in crimson again. After spending the last three seasons in the G League, Bediako is back in Tuscaloosa, and his timing couldn’t be better. Alabama’s frontcourt depth has been tested all season, and with a brutal stretch of SEC play underway, head coach Nate Oats is hoping Bediako can help stabilize things in the paint.
The Tide have already weathered some tough blows-losses to a pair of non-conference powerhouses and a two-game slide in SEC play had Oats openly reflecting on what needs to change. Alabama managed to regroup with back-to-back wins against Mississippi State and Oklahoma, but the road ahead doesn’t get any easier. Tennessee (12-6, 2-3 SEC) is up next, and that’s just the start of a gauntlet stretch that includes matchups with Missouri, Florida, Texas A&M, Auburn, and Ole Miss.
Bediako’s return gives Alabama a much-needed interior presence-something they’ve lacked since his departure. During his first stint with the Tide, he was a defensive anchor, a rim protector who brought energy and toughness to the paint. If he can recapture even a portion of that form, it could be a game-changer for a team that’s struggled at times to control the glass and defend the interior.
And let’s not overlook the significance of this particular matchup. Alabama hasn’t beaten Tennessee since the 2021-22 season-ironically, Bediako’s freshman year.
That win came in Tuscaloosa, a 73-68 grind-it-out affair that feels like a lifetime ago. Since then, the Volunteers have had Alabama’s number, taking the last four meetings.
Saturday night offers a chance to flip that script.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. CT, and the game will air on ESPN, with Dave Neal and Richard Hendrix on the call. Fans can also stream the action via Fubo, Sling, or ESPN+.
Looking ahead, Alabama’s upcoming schedule is no joke. After Tennessee, they’ll host Missouri on Jan. 27, then hit the road for a tough one at Florida on Feb.
- That’s followed by a home game against Texas A&M (Feb. 4), a rivalry clash at Auburn (Feb. 7), and a visit to Ole Miss on Feb.
- It’s a stretch that will test every inch of this team’s depth, resolve, and identity.
But for now, all eyes are on Bediako. His return adds a new layer to an already fascinating season. Alabama’s ceiling just might be a little higher than we thought-and we’re about to find out how far they can climb.