16-04-2025
Another marquee nonconference matchup reportedly set for Alabama basketball
Another marquee nonconference matchup reportedly set for Alabama basketball
Another marquee nonconference game for Alabama basketball is reportedly set.
According to a report from Made For March, the Crimson Tide's matchup against the Illinois Fighting Illini in Chicago has been set for Wednesday, Nov. 19 at United Center. It's the return trip from last season's matchup on Nov. 20 at Legacy Arena in Birmingham at the C.M. Newton Classic, a game Alabama won 100-87 behind 23 points from Grant Nelson.
Alabama has already announced dates for two other marquee nonconference matchups within the past week. The Crimson Tide will take on the Arizona Wildcats at Legacy Arena on Dec. 13. On Tuesday, Alabama and Purdue announced that the back-end of their home-and-home series would take place Nov. 13 at Coleman Coliseum.
Also in the nonconference slate, Nate Oats' Crimson Tide are scheduled to host North Dakota in Tuscaloosa at an unannounced date and make another trip to Las Vegas for the Players Era Festival. Another opponent from the ACC will face Alabama in the annual SEC/ACC Challenge, which last year pitted the Crimson Tide against the North Carolina Tar Heels in Chapel Hill.
Illinois finished 22-13 overall and went 12-8 in the Big Ten last season. Brad Underwood's Illini earned a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the second round of the Midwest Region before falling 84-75 to No. 3 seed Kentucky.
Alabama finished 28-9 (13-5 SEC) and reached the Elite Eight before falling 85-65 to No. 1 seed Duke. The Crimson Tide were ranked No. 6 in the final USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and AP poll for the 2024-25 season. Illinois was unranked in the final Top 25 polls. The Tide and Fighting Illini have met five times dating back to 1952. Alabama leads the all-time series, 4-1.
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