Alabama Heads to Gainesville for Rare Sunday SEC Clash with Red-Hot Florida
The Alabama Crimson Tide are set for a rare Sunday showdown in SEC play, heading to Gainesville to take on a surging Florida Gators squad at the O’Connell Center. It’s not often we see a conference game on a Sunday, but this one’s got all the makings of a must-watch matchup - two ranked teams, both coming off dominant bounce-back wins, and plenty of firepower on both ends of the court.
Alabama (14-6, 4-3 SEC) rolls into this one riding the momentum of a statement win over Missouri. After a tough loss to Tennessee, the Tide responded in a big way, ripping off a 16-2 second-half run and cruising to a 90-64 victory in Tuscaloosa. That kind of response tells you a lot about this team’s resilience - and their depth.
Latrell Wrightsell Jr. was the spark plug, dropping a game-high 21 points - all from beyond the arc. When he’s dialed in like that, Alabama’s offense becomes a nightmare to guard.
Freshman Labaron Philon added 18 points of his own, continuing to show poise beyond his years. And Charles Bediako, getting the start in the middle, chipped in 14 points and six boards in just 18 minutes.
That frontcourt presence gives Alabama a different dimension, especially when the perimeter shots are falling.
The Tide never looked back after Wrightsell buried a three with just over seven minutes left in the first half. From that point on, it was all Alabama - a complete performance that reminded everyone why they’re still a threat in the SEC.
But they’re walking into a hornet’s nest on Sunday.
Florida (15-6, 6-2 SEC) is coming off a demolition job of South Carolina, a 95-48 road win that turned heads across the conference. That’s not just a bounce-back - that’s a statement. After a surprising loss to Auburn, the Gators responded by putting together one of their most dominant performances of the season.
Rueben Chinyehu posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Thomas Haugh poured in a game-high 18 points. When Florida gets contributions like that across the board, they’re a tough out for anyone. The Gators are ranked No. 19 in the AP poll and No. 21 in the Coaches Poll, and they’ve earned every bit of that respect.
Meanwhile, Alabama sits at No. 23 in both major polls, and Sunday’s matinee presents a golden opportunity to climb the rankings - and shake off the recent dominance Florida has held in this rivalry.
Let’s talk history. This will be the 154th meeting between these two programs, with Alabama holding a narrow 79-74 edge in the all-time series.
But the recent trend? It’s been all Gators.
Florida has won four straight, including a 104-82 blowout in last year’s SEC Tournament. In fact, Alabama hasn’t beaten Florida since 2023, and the last few matchups have been high-scoring affairs that haven’t gone the Tide’s way.
Here’s a quick look at the last 10 meetings:
- March 15, 2025: Florida 104, Alabama 82 (Nashville)
- March 5, 2025: Florida 99, Alabama 94 (Tuscaloosa)
- March 15, 2024: Florida 102, Alabama 88 (Nashville)
- March 5, 2024: Florida 105, Alabama 87 (Gainesville)
- Feb. 21, 2023: Alabama 98, Florida 93 (Tuscaloosa)
- Feb. 8, 2022: Alabama 97, Florida 69 (Tuscaloosa)
- Jan. 5, 2022: Alabama 83, Florida 70 (Gainesville)
- Jan. 5, 2021: Alabama 86, Florida 71 (Tuscaloosa)
- Jan. 4, 2020: Florida 104, Alabama 98 (Gainesville)
- Feb. 16, 2019: Florida 71, Alabama 53 (Tuscaloosa)
So yeah, recent history favors the Gators - and they’re playing with confidence. But Alabama’s got the offensive firepower and the depth to flip the script.
TV Info and Tipoff Time
The game tips off at noon CT on Sunday and will be televised nationally on ABC, with streaming available on ESPN+. Calling the action from Gainesville will be Karl Ravech, Jimmy Dykes, and the legendary Dick Vitale.
It’s the second time this season Ravech and Dykes will be on the call for an Alabama game - they were on the mic for the Tide’s shootout loss to Texas back on Jan. 10.
What’s at Stake
This one’s big. For Alabama, it’s a chance to get a signature road win, snap a losing streak in the series, and build momentum heading into a tough February stretch. For Florida, it’s about defending home court, staying near the top of the SEC standings, and proving they belong in the national conversation.
With both teams ranked and both coming off blowout wins, Sunday’s clash at the O’Dome has all the ingredients for a classic. Expect pace, points, and plenty of fireworks.
Set your alarms - this one’s worth the early tip.