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If there was any doubt that Nate Oats intends to challenge his team from the opening tip of the 2026-27 season, Alabama’s latest scheduling move should put that conversation to rest.
According to multiple reports, Alabama has agreed to a two-year neutral-site series with Iowa, adding yet another quality opponent to what is already shaping up to be one of the toughest nonconference schedules in the country.
The first matchup is set for Dec. 21 at Casey’s Center in Des Moines, Iowa. The series will then shift south for a return game in Mobile during the 2027-28 season.
For Oats, it’s another example of a philosophy that has become a trademark during his time in Tuscaloosa. Alabama isn’t interested in loading up on easy wins before SEC play begins. Instead, the Crimson Tide continues to seek out challenging opponents that will test the roster and prepare it for March.
That approach has paid off. Alabama has become a consistent national contender under Oats, making deep NCAA Tournament runs while earning respect as one of the sport’s most aggressive scheduling programs.
The matchup with Iowa also adds an intriguing new chapter to a series that has rarely been played. The Crimson Tide and Hawkeyes have met only twice before, both games coming in the Paradise Jam tournament in the Virgin Islands.
Alabama won the first meeting 72-60 in 2006 and went on to capture the tournament championship. Iowa answered with a 55-47 victory in the teams’ second meeting in 2010.
While the programs have not crossed paths in more than a decade, both enter this new series with plenty of momentum.
Iowa exceeded expectations last season under head coach Ben McCollum, putting together a 24-13 record and making a surprising run to the Elite Eight. The Hawkeyes knocked off several highly regarded teams during their tournament journey and established themselves as one of the biggest success stories of the season.
Alabama, meanwhile, continued to perform at the level many have come to expect under Oats. The Crimson Tide entered the year ranked No. 15 in the preseason AP Poll and finished the regular season right where it started before earning another NCAA Tournament berth.
The addition of Iowa only strengthens an already loaded nonconference slate.
Alabama is scheduled to face Baylor in the Players Era Championships in Las Vegas, with potential matchups against programs such as Gonzaga, Tennessee, Texas Tech, Louisville, Maryland, Iowa State, Oregon and others depending on tournament results. The Tide will also travel to Miami for the ACC/SEC Challenge, face St. John’s in Birmingham and take on Houston in the Jimmy V Classic.
There is also a return trip to South Florida still expected to be finalized.
Simply put, Alabama isn’t taking the easy road.
Every year, Oats talks about preparing his team for postseason basketball, and every year his scheduling decisions back up those words. The addition of Iowa is just the latest example of a program that refuses to shy away from competition.
By the time SEC play arrives, Alabama will once again be battle-tested, and that’s exactly how Nate Oats wants it.
Continue reading...
According to multiple reports, Alabama has agreed to a two-year neutral-site series with Iowa, adding yet another quality opponent to what is already shaping up to be one of the toughest nonconference schedules in the country.
The first matchup is set for Dec. 21 at Casey’s Center in Des Moines, Iowa. The series will then shift south for a return game in Mobile during the 2027-28 season.
For Oats, it’s another example of a philosophy that has become a trademark during his time in Tuscaloosa. Alabama isn’t interested in loading up on easy wins before SEC play begins. Instead, the Crimson Tide continues to seek out challenging opponents that will test the roster and prepare it for March.
That approach has paid off. Alabama has become a consistent national contender under Oats, making deep NCAA Tournament runs while earning respect as one of the sport’s most aggressive scheduling programs.
The matchup with Iowa also adds an intriguing new chapter to a series that has rarely been played. The Crimson Tide and Hawkeyes have met only twice before, both games coming in the Paradise Jam tournament in the Virgin Islands.
Alabama won the first meeting 72-60 in 2006 and went on to capture the tournament championship. Iowa answered with a 55-47 victory in the teams’ second meeting in 2010.
While the programs have not crossed paths in more than a decade, both enter this new series with plenty of momentum.
Iowa exceeded expectations last season under head coach Ben McCollum, putting together a 24-13 record and making a surprising run to the Elite Eight. The Hawkeyes knocked off several highly regarded teams during their tournament journey and established themselves as one of the biggest success stories of the season.
Alabama, meanwhile, continued to perform at the level many have come to expect under Oats. The Crimson Tide entered the year ranked No. 15 in the preseason AP Poll and finished the regular season right where it started before earning another NCAA Tournament berth.
The addition of Iowa only strengthens an already loaded nonconference slate.
Alabama is scheduled to face Baylor in the Players Era Championships in Las Vegas, with potential matchups against programs such as Gonzaga, Tennessee, Texas Tech, Louisville, Maryland, Iowa State, Oregon and others depending on tournament results. The Tide will also travel to Miami for the ACC/SEC Challenge, face St. John’s in Birmingham and take on Houston in the Jimmy V Classic.
There is also a return trip to South Florida still expected to be finalized.
Simply put, Alabama isn’t taking the easy road.
Every year, Oats talks about preparing his team for postseason basketball, and every year his scheduling decisions back up those words. The addition of Iowa is just the latest example of a program that refuses to shy away from competition.
By the time SEC play arrives, Alabama will once again be battle-tested, and that’s exactly how Nate Oats wants it.
Continue reading...
