Sam Houston Is Opening For Alabama in 2026, And Coach Oats Is Eyeing A Fifth Straight Sweet 16

Alright, hoop heads, get ready because the news just dropped: Alabama's 2026-27 men's basketball season opener is officially on the books! We're talking Monday, November 2, when the Crimson Tide will host the Sam Houston Bearkats at Coleman Coliseum. This isn't just a regular game, though. This kicks off Coach Nate Oats' eighth season in Tuscaloosa, and if you've been watching, you know what kind of program he's built. Get ready for some serious action right out of the gate, because Bama is not messing around with their schedule.

The Bearkats Are Coming to Coleman Coliseum

So, Sam Houston is making the trip to Coleman Coliseum to open things up. It's only the second time these two squads have ever met on the hardwood. The first time? Way back on December 27, 1997, when Alabama took the W, 77-58. That was when David Hobbs was coaching the Tide. Fast forward to now, and Oats has a seriously impressive track record in season openers, boasting a 6-1 record, with his only loss coming in his very first season against Penn. Last season, Bama kicked things off with a dominant 91-62 victory over North Dakota. This is how you build a program, right? Consistency and setting the tone early.

Alabama's 2026-27 Schedule Is Absolutely Stacked

But hold up, because this opener is just one piece of a wild nonconference schedule that's starting to take shape. This Sam Houston news is the *second* schedule announcement just this week for Alabama! Jon Rothstein, the college basketball insider, already reported late Thursday that the Tide will be facing the Miami Hurricanes in Coral Gables as part of the 2026 ACC/SEC Challenge. If that wasn't enough, they're set to play Seton Hall on November 13 in Tuscaloosa, and then Rick Pitino's St. John's Red Storm on December 12 at the C.M. Newton Classic in Birmingham. And get this: they're hitting Madison Square Garden for the second year in a row, this time against the Houston Cougars, date still TBD. They'll also visit South Florida and hit up the Player's Era Festival in Las Vegas for the third straight year. This lineup is intense, designed to test them early and often. Last season, Bama finished 25-10 overall and went 13-5 in SEC play. They pushed hard, making it to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight season, and the fifth time in six years, before falling to the national champion Michigan Wolverines in Chicago. They were ranked No. 16 in the final USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. Sam Houston isn't a slouch either, finishing 22-12 overall and 13-7 in Conference USA last season, making the NIT before losing to New Mexico. This opener might seem straightforward, but it's the start of what could be a historic year for Coach Oats and the Tide. You gotta love a coach who challenges his team from day one. It's going to be a fun season, and you know we'll be watching every step of the way!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.