TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The most anticipated Iron Bowl of Basketball in the history of the series is set to take place Saturday afternoon inside Coleman Coliseum. No. 1 Auburn (22-2, 10-1) will face off against No. 2 Alabama (21-3, 10-1) in the first matchup between the top-two teams in series and SEC history. The matchup is also the first of at least two between the rivals this season.
“This is the first matchup in the SEC that [No. 1 vs. No. 2] has ever happened,” Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said. “I just don’t think if you were trying to predict who would be in that matchup… I don’t think many people would have picked Auburn and Alabama to be those teams.”
The Tide and Tigers enter Saturday’s matchup tied atop the SEC standings, and a win would give not only bragging rights but also a lead in the SEC standings as the teams enter the home stretch of conference play. It’s hard to put this matchup into historical perspective. While both have had limited success through the years in basketball, both making the final four in the past six years, neither would be considered blue bloods of the sport. They are football schools after all, right?
Bruce Pearl and Nate Oats changed the trajectory of each program respectively. Both coaches have brought their programs to levels never thought possible. Now this season, the two have their programs as arguably the two best teams in the country. Whoever wins on Saturday can make their claim as the best in the country — at least for now.
“We’ll see Saturday who’s the best team in the country, I guess,” Alabama head coach Nate Oats said after Alabama’s win on Tuesday.
As for the game itself, both teams are elite on offense. Auburn is the number one offensive efficiency team in the country according to KenPom. Alabama is number two. Both teams also post top-40 defenses according to KenPom with Auburn at 17 and Alabama at 40. The styles, however, are different.
Alabama plays at a much faster pace and looks to either score at the rim or from three-point range. The Crimson Tide look to speed opponents up and make them play at their pace.
“They shoot from way, way behind the three-point line with great efficiency,” Pearl said. “Their spread ball screen stuff makes it hard to protect the rim and protect the three-point line.”
Auburn, on the other hand, thrives in the half-court game. Auburn’s offense plays through star forward Johni Broome but also has shooters around him that can knock down threes at any time.
Alabama enters Saturday winner of its last seven games and playing arguably its best basketball of the season. The Tide hit 17 threes in their previous game and shot a staggering 62 percent from the field. Auburn meanwhile enters the game coming off a solid win on the road against Vandy.
The game will feature fascinating matchups. Can Auburn slow down star guard Mark Sears? Can Alabama defend Johni Broome? What about Auburn transfer Aden Holloway — will he have a big game against his former team? Those are just a few of the matchups that make this game so intriguing.
What will the Tigers need to do to knock off the Tide in Tuscaloosa? For Auburn, it starts with defense. It won’t be an easy task for the Tigers to slow down the Tide, but if the Tigers want to leave Tuscaloosa with a win they’ll have to be at their best on defense.
“When we are locked in defensively we could be pretty good,” Pearl said. When we’re sitting back on our heels and not playing and defending as physically and as intensely and as alertly we’re vulnerable.”
Auburn fell just short in Tuscaloosa a year ago. Can the Tigers get the win this year? It will take Auburn’s best game to knock off an excellent Alabama team. Only bragging rights, the number one ranking and the SEC lead are on the line on Saturday. Basketball in the state of Alabama has never been better.
Saturday’s tip is set for 3:00 p.m. inside Coleman Coliseum. The game will air on the Auburn Sports Network and ESPN.
