Alabama’s schedule this season has been a gauntlet. The Crimson Tide have squared off against eight top-25 teams already, compiling an impressive 6-2 record in those matchups. Their only losses came in a tough road battle at Purdue (87-78) and a home slip-up against Ole Miss (74-64).
When March rolls around, Nate Oats’ squad will be more than battle-tested. Their brutal schedule ensures they’ll be ready for anything. And it doesn’t get any easier in the weeks ahead. On Wednesday, they’ll hit the road to face No. 14 Mississippi State. After that, there’s a brief “break” with games against unranked Georgia, Arkansas, and Texas—before things ramp back up to a whole new level.
To close out the season, Alabama faces what might be one of the toughest seven-game stretches in college basketball history. Here’s how it stacks up: vs. No. 1 Auburn, at No. 22 Missouri, vs. No. 9 Kentucky, vs. No. 14 Mississippi State, at No. 6 Tennessee, vs. No. 5 Florida and at No. 1 Auburn.
That’s a gauntlet in every sense of the word. Auburn, Florida, and Kentucky join Alabama in the top 10 for adjusted offensive efficiency on KenPom, while Tennessee boasts the nation’s best adjusted defense. Every one of these games is against a team with the tools to make a deep tournament run.
The Tide’s strength of schedule is no joke, trailing only No. 1 Auburn in adjusted difficulty. By the time the postseason arrives, Alabama will have the experience needed to take on any challenge that might come its way.
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