Alabama Basketball Schedules Two-Year Series with Big Ten Program
Alabama basketball has scheduled a two-year neutral-site series with Iowa, per CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein.
The first game will be in Des Moines, Iowa this upcoming season, with a return game in Mobile, Alabama, coming in 2027-28. The dates and venues for these games are unknown at this time.
The Hawkeyes exceeded expectations last season, as head coach Ben McCollum led his team to a 24-13 (10-10 Big Ten) record. This includes an NCAA Tournament run that ended in the Elite Eight after South Region 9-seed Iowa beat 8-seed Clemson in the first round, 1-seed and defending national champion Florida in the second and 4-seed Nebraska in the Sweet 16.
The Crimson Tide met its expectations last season. It started the season ranked No. 15 in the AP Top 25 and entered March Madness at the same spot.
After reaching the Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament, Alabama lost four players to the transfer portal: forwards Taylor Bol Bowen and Aiden Sherrell, plus guards Jalil Bethea and Davion Hannah. Additionally, guard Labaron Philon Jr. is remaining in the 2026 NBA Draft, while Latrell Wrightsell Jr., Houston Mallette and Noah Williamson exhausted their collegiate eligibility.
That said, Amari Allen withdrew his name from the NBA Draft on May 27's deadline, as he's expected to lead the 2026-27 team. The Crimson Tide gained four players from the transfer portal could have five returners from this past season. This is on top of the three freshmen coming to Tuscaloosa this summer. Each of the newcomers signed with Alabama on June 4.
Alabama's 2026-27 nonconference schedule is nearing completion, as there are only a couple more slots to fill.
Alabama's 2026-27 Schedule as of June 18
- Nov. 6: vs. Sam Houston
- Nov. 13: vs. Seton Hall
- Nov. 24: vs. Baylor at Players Era Championships in Las Vegas
- Nov. 26: vs. winner of Gonzaga/Kansas State at Players Era
- Nov. 27: vs. winner of Michigan/Creighton/Miami/TCU at Players Era (if Alabama wins prior matchups)
- Nov. 28: Players Era Championship vs. winner of Tennessee/Maryland/Iowa State/San Diego State/St. John's/Oregon/Louisville/Texas Tech (if Alabama contends)
- Dec. 2: at Miami in ACC/SEC Challenge
- Dec. 12: vs. St. John's in Birmingham
In addition to Iowa, Alabama will also face Houston in the Jimmy V Classic, but that date is unknown at this time. The same is said for the Tide's second part of a home-and-home series at South Florida.
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Threads and Blue Sky for the latest news.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/alabama as Alabama Basketball Schedules Two-Year Series with Big Ten Program.
Copyright ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 8:18 AM.