Alabama vs. Auburn: A Rivalry Reaches New Heights
In the heart of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the air was thick with anticipation. The gym was silent, save for the echoing whistle that brought everything to a standstill. “Listen!” bellowed Alabama head coach Nate Oats, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. He leaped onto the court, his intensity palpable. “There should not be any 3-pointers against this defense! None!” he commanded, his determination unwavering.
Meanwhile, three hours southeast, Auburn’s head coach Bruce Pearl was in the throes of his own fervent preparation. “This doesn’t work!” he exclaimed, his frustration evident as he gestured emphatically to his players. “This doesn’t work unless our big men step up! Do it again!”
Such is the fervor that surrounds the Alabama-Auburn rivalry, a storied conflict that has been igniting passions since 1893. While traditionally the Iron Bowl on the football field has been the centerpiece of this rivalry, this Saturday’s basketball showdown between No. 1 Auburn and No. 2 Alabama in Tuscaloosa promises to be a historic event. It’s the first time in SEC history that these two teams, or any teams, have met as the top two ranked in the nation.
The stakes are sky-high, and the excitement is palpable. “That’s definitely a big game,” said Alabama forward Grant Nelson, who is averaging 12.7 points per game. “That’s what everyone talks about. That’s what all of my friends want to come out and watch because they want to catch that game.”
This matchup marks the first meeting between the top two teams in college basketball since Gonzaga and UCLA clashed in Las Vegas during the 2021-22 season. It’s also the first in-conference meeting of No. 1 and No. 2 teams since Kansas and Oklahoma’s epic triple-overtime battle in 2016, according to ESPN Research.
A New Era in College Basketball
The rise of Alabama and Auburn in the basketball world signals a shift in the traditional hierarchy of college basketball. Under the leadership of Pearl and Oats, Auburn (2019) and Alabama (2024) have each reached their first Final Four appearances. Despite their reputations as football powerhouses, both schools are now at the forefront of an SEC poised to set a record for the most conference bids in the men’s NCAA tournament, potentially securing more than a dozen on Selection Sunday.
Each program has carved its path to success with distinct strategies. Alabama, led by Mark Sears (17.8 PPG, 4.9 APG), plays at the fastest pace in the country, launching 3-pointers nearly half the time they have the ball. Their offensive prowess is undeniable, having scored 100 points in seven games this season.
On the other hand, Auburn is guided by Johni Broome, a top candidate for national player of the year. The Tigers are a force to be reckoned with, boasting the most balanced team in America. They rank No. 1 in adjusted offensive efficiency and are in the top 20 in adjusted defensive efficiency on KenPom. With nine seniors and a deep bench where 10 players average at least 10 minutes per game, Auburn is a formidable opponent.
The Rivalry’s Fiery Past
Fans who have witnessed the Alabama-Auburn rivalry know that rankings alone don’t dictate the outcome. The rivalry is fueled by passion and pride, with supporters of both teams ready to clash over anything at any time.
- Michael Floyd, an Auburn superfan, expressed his sentiments: “I wish they’d just leave us alone,” he said. “Let us have something for once. We get good [at] basketball and now they want to finally invest in it? Come on.”
- He added, “I don’t want to say this, but you have to give credit where credit is due: What they’re doing over there is crazy as well, which makes what we’re doing here even more special. Because we want to win it when our rival is good.”
The rivalry’s intensity was evident as early as 2011 when Cam Newton and his Auburn football teammates nearly sparked a confrontation with Alabama’s basketball team. Trevor Releford, then Alabama’s point guard, recalled the incident, noting the fiery nature of the rivalry. “It’s Alabama. It’s Auburn. They gave us a little banter. They didn’t rough us up because we’re [tough]. But it was good to spice that game up,” he said.
Looking Ahead to Saturday’s Showdown
As the “Iron Bowl of basketball” approaches, the stakes have never been higher. The outcome of Saturday’s game could significantly impact the national profiles of both schools, with the winner gaining a potentially easier path to San Antonio and the national championship.
“There are no pro sports in the state of Alabama,” Pearl said. “We are it. There was a time when, if you were from this part of the country — Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi — you had to go to Kansas or Kentucky or North Carolina or Duke because you couldn’t come to these schools, win championships, become a pro and stay home. Now, you can.”
This shift in status has coincided with an upgrade in the SEC’s overall coaching pedigree. Both Oats and Pearl have transformed their programs into attractive destinations for transfers and elite recruits. Since 2018, they have produced nine first-round NBA draft picks combined; four for Auburn and five for Alabama. They have established themselves as perennial NCAA tournament teams and now, national title contenders.
As Pearl and Oats prepare to face off, the anticipation is palpable. “The good thing is we get to play against the best team in the country, twice here in the last month of the season,” Oats said. “So, we’ll get to test ourselves.”
Indeed, it will be a test for both teams. Alabama and Auburn will play the most pivotal game in the history of their rivalry — perhaps in any sport, football included — in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, then they’ll do it again on March 8 in Auburn.
For fans raised in this rivalry, the stakes are clear. “I do know we got up a little more for that game,” Releford said. “It’s Alabama, Auburn. You don’t want to be on the losing side. I don’t care if it’s football, gymnastics, whatever. It’s a pride throughout the university that we want to go and get them. You want to get a win, no matter what it is. It could be a canned goods competition. We want to win. We want to have the most.”
Originally Written by: Myron Medcalf
