Alabama Basketball Season Openers: Queens (Nov. 2) and Sam Houston (Nov. 3) Preview, 2026
Alabama basketball opens for real next week: the women host Queens on Monday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. CT, and the men host Sam Houston on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network+. Both games are at Coleman Coliseum. Football is off this Saturday, so the next big Tide nights are on the court.
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When does Alabama basketball start the 2026-27 season?
| Date | Game | Time (CT) | Where | TV / stream |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon., Nov. 2 | Women: Alabama vs. Queens | 6 p.m. | Coleman Coliseum | Not confirmed yet; check rolltide.com |
| Tue., Nov. 3 | Men: Alabama vs. Sam Houston | 6:30 p.m. | Coleman Coliseum | SEC Network+ |
Some early reports in June listed the men’s opener as Nov. 2. Alabama’s released schedule has it on Tuesday, Nov. 3. TV designations are subject to change.
What should you know about Sam Houston?
- The Bearkats went 22-12 last season and 13-7 in Conference USA, their most wins since 2014-15.
- Head coach Chris Mudge starts his fourth season with the program.
- The teams have met once: Alabama won 77-58 on Dec. 27, 1997, in Oklahoma City.
How did Alabama look in exhibitions?
| Team | Exhibition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Men | Ole Miss | W 92-84 |
| Men | Auburn (The Feud, Legacy Arena, Birmingham, Oct. 22) | W 87-85 |
| Women | UAH (Oct. 15) | W 105-62 |
| Women | Oct. 27 home exhibition | W 88-40 |
Full write-ups: Alabama 87, Auburn 85 (The Feud) and Alabama 92, Ole Miss 84.
Who does Alabama play next?
| Date | Men’s opponent | Time (CT) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri., Nov. 6 | Arkansas State | 6:30 p.m. | SEC Network+ |
| Mon., Nov. 9 | Oakland | 6:30 p.m. | SEC Network+ |
| Fri., Nov. 13 | Seton Hall | 8 p.m. | SEC Network |
| Tue., Nov. 17 | Kennesaw State | 6:30 p.m. | SEC Network+ |
| Tue., Nov. 24 | vs. Baylor (Players Era, Las Vegas) | 9 p.m. | ESPN2 |
Other Tide games this weekend: soccer plays at Mississippi State on Sunday, Nov. 1 at noon, and volleyball hosts Mississippi State that day at 4 p.m. Football is idle Saturday, then plays at LSU on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC. See the Alabama at LSU preview and the SEC bye-week watch guide for Oct. 31.
Where should you watch Alabama basketball in Tuscaloosa?
The best seat is Coleman Coliseum. If you can’t go, SEC Network+ streams on the ESPN app with a TV provider login, and many bars put SEC games on. Use our sports bars in Tuscaloosa guide and the Tuscaloosa bars guide, and check tonight’s bar and food specials for deals.
You must be 21 or older to drink. Get home safe: UA’s 348-RIDE runs at 205-348-7433, and rideshare apps work across campus and downtown.
What time does Alabama men’s basketball play Sam Houston?
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. CT at Coleman Coliseum, streaming on SEC Network+.
When is the Alabama women’s basketball season opener?
Monday, Nov. 2, 2026 at 6 p.m. CT against Queens at Coleman Coliseum.
Have Alabama and Sam Houston played before?
Once. Alabama won 77-58 on Dec. 27, 1997, in Oklahoma City.
Times, TV and results are from Alabama’s released schedules and published schedule reports; TV is subject to change. Own a bar or restaurant near campus? Sponsor our game recaps.
Clay.
As founder of TuscaloosaStudentHousing.com, he combines that local knowledge with hands-on research of the Tuscaloosa rental market to publish practical, honest guides for University of Alabama students living off campus.
