Some analysts already predict St. John’s to be the No. 1 team in the nation next season, and most have the Johnnies slated to be a preseason top 5 team under Rick Pitino. St. John’s currently holds the country’s No. 1 overall transfer class with additions from Providence’s Bryce Hopkins, Arizona State’s Joson Sanon, and North Carolina’s Ian Jackson, among others.
Alabama isn’t receiving the type of praise St. John’s is entering the new season, but the Crimson Tide is set to be a preseason top-25 program yet again. They’ll certainly have their chances to prove it this upcoming season, as they currently own one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the sport.
Alabama Is Facing One of the Toughest Non-Conference Schedules in 2025.
Alabama’s head coach, Nate Oats, who is in his seventh year, is seeking to take the team on their fourth-straight trip to the tournament’s second weekend. However, the Crimson Tide must manage the departures of consensus first-team All-American Mark Sears and talented stretch-five center Grant Nelson, who led the program to its first Final Four in 2024.
According to a report from college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, Oats’ Crimson Tide will play against St. John’s and legendary coach Rick Pitino at Madison Square Garden in New York on November 8. It will mark the first time an Alabama team has played at ‘The Mecca’ since 2013.
Alabama’s 2025-26 non-conference schedule:
Players Era (3)
At St. John’s (MSG)
Illinois (United Center)
Purdue
Arizona (Birmingham)
ACC/SEC Challenge“My advice to you is to start drinking heavily.” – John Belushi as Bluto in Animal House, circa 1978 https://t.co/ubN7AXzdP1
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 9, 2025
Alabama will also face Purdue, another team getting No. 1 overall shouts, and Arizona, Illinois, and Yale. They will also travel to Las Vegas for the Players Era Festival and face an ACC school in the annual SEC-ACC Challenge.
Alabama finished 28-9 last season and reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, before losing 85-65 to Duke in the East Region final in Newark. The Crimson Tide were ranked No. 6 in the final USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
KEEP READING: Alabama’s Nate Oats Expresses Confidence in Mark Sears: ‘I Hope He Gets a Chance To Play in the NBA’
Aden Holloway, Houston Mallette, Latrell Wrightsell, and Aiden Sherrell are all expected to return from last year’s squad. At the same time, newcomer transfers Taylor Boll Bowen, Noah Williamson, and Keitenn Barlow are all set for significant roles.
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