No. 20 Alabama is back in action for its second game of the regular season, and this one brings a familiar face to Tuscaloosa.
Arkansas State comes in at 1-0, while the Crimson Tide are also 1-0 and looking to keep the early momentum rolling. The matchup also puts Nate Oats across from Ryan Pannone, who spent the last two seasons on Alabama’s staff before taking over at Arkansas State.
Pannone was part of the Crimson Tide’s 2023-24 and 2024-25 staffs, years in which Alabama led the nation in points per game both times. In 2024-25, the Tide also finished with the most possessions per game, cementing their place as the fastest-paced team in college basketball.
Pannone’s first season in Tuscaloosa was the Final Four run.
Oats has made no secret that he’s been eager for this one. He said Pannone “watches more video than probably anybody I know.” Oats has already faced three former assistants, including Bryan Hodgson twice, and he’s 4-0 in those games.
The all-time series is short and one-sided. Alabama leads 4-0, with the first meeting coming on Dec. 11, 1969.
The teams met again last season, when Alabama beat Arkansas State 88-79 at home on Nov. 8, 2024.
It was a messy game from start to finish. Mark Sears paced the Tide with 19 points, though he needed 12 shots to get there and went 0 for 5 from three-point range.
He also hit 11 of 16 free throws. Alabama and Arkansas State combined for 80 free-throw attempts, and the Tide had trouble from deep as a team, finishing 6-for-31.
Still, Alabama found enough production inside to get double-digit scoring from Labaron Philon, Derrion Reid, Jarin Stevenson, Grant Nelson and Clifford Omoruyi.
The game will be carried on the Crimson Tide Sports Network, with Chris Stewart on play-by-play, Bryan Passink as analyst and Roger Hoover on the sideline. The pregame show begins one hour before tipoff.
Starting lineups for Arkansas State at Alabama will be posted shortly before tipoff.
In Other News...
LSU Star Took A Shot At Alabama Even After The Loss
Alabamas 31-13 win over LSU was built in the second half, when the Crimson Tide put together three touchdown drives and steadily pulled away from a game that had been tighter earlier on. The result pushed Alabama to 7-2 and left LSU at 6-3, a setback that did more than just dent the Tigers record.
Afterward, LSU safety Ty Benefield pointed the blame inward, saying the loss came down to his own teams mistakes rather than anything Alabamas offense did. It was the kind of postgame assessment that can linger, especially with LSUs playoff hopes now taking a hit and Alabama continuing to build momentum down the stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama's Playoff Hopes Were Slipping Until One Drive Changed Everything
Alabamas playoff push had started to look shaky when LSU nudged ahead late in the third quarter, but the Tide steadied themselves just in time to keep the conversation alive. Kalen DeBoers team leaned into the kind of simple, disciplined football he has stressed all season, staying focused and executing when the game tightened up.
One drive flipped the feel of the night, sparked by Rico Scotts 57-yard reception and finished with a touchdown pass from Keelon Russell to Josh Ford. Ryan Coleman-Williams also made his presence felt in his return from injury, giving Alabama another needed piece as it found a way to answer LSU and protect its postseason hopes. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Fans Got Another Reason To Enjoy Lane Kiffins Misery
Lane Kiffins latest trip through Tuscaloosa ended the same way so many of the others have, with Alabama leaving him looking for answers. LSUs loss to the Crimson Tide pushed Kiffin to 0-6 against Alabama in his coaching career, and it came in a game where the Tide got enough from quarterback Keelon Russell to keep control even after Russell dealt with an injury. For Alabama fans, it was another satisfying chapter in a long-running storyline that has rarely gone their way when Kiffin is on the opposing sideline.
The biggest moment came late, when Kiffins fourth-and-10 decision turned into a sack and effectively shut the door on LSUs chances. It was the kind of call that invites second-guessing immediately, especially in a game already tilted by Alabamas steadier execution. For the Tide, the win was about more than just another conference result. It was also another reminder that Kiffins frustration against Alabama continues to pile up, one loss at a time. [Read more 🡒]