Alabama men’s basketball has added another intriguing neutral-site matchup to its 2025–26 non-conference schedule, further enhancing an already challenging slate. The Crimson Tide will face Kennesaw State on Sunday, December 21, at Propst Arena in Huntsville, Alabama. This game carries added significance as it marks a homecoming for Kennesaw State head coach Antoine Pettway, a former Alabama player and long-time assistant coach .
Pettway, who played for the Crimson Tide from 2000 to 2004 and served as an assistant coach from 2008 to 2010 and again from 2013 to 2023, took over the Kennesaw State program in April 2023. This matchup will be his first against his alma mater as a head coach, adding an emotional layer to the contest. The game will also serve as a preview of Propst Arena, the venue for the 2026 Conference USA Tournament .
This isn’t the first time Alabama will face a former assistant coach during the 2025–26 season. The Crimson Tide are also scheduled to host UTSA, led by head coach Austin Claunch, on December 7. Claunch was part of Alabama’s coaching staff during the 2023–24 season .
Alabama’s non-conference schedule is shaping up to be one of the most formidable in the nation. The Crimson Tide will open the season against North Dakota on November 3, followed by a road game at St. John’s on November 8. They will host Purdue on November 13 and face Illinois in Chicago on November 19. From November 26 to 30, Alabama will participate in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, playing three games against yet-to-be-announced opponents. The team is also slated to compete in the SEC/ACC Challenge in early December, with the opponent and date to be determined. On December 13, Alabama will play Arizona in Birmingham as part of the C.M. Newton Classic. Additional games against Yale and South Florida are also on the schedule, with dates to be announced .
The 2024–25 season saw Alabama finish with a 28–9 record, including a 13–5 mark in SEC play. The Crimson Tide advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament, where they fell to top-seeded Duke. They concluded the season ranked No. 6 in both the AP Top 25 and Coaches Polls .
As head coach Nate Oats enters another season at the helm, the Crimson Tide’s challenging non-conference schedule reflects the program’s commitment to competing at the highest level. The addition of the neutral-site game against Kennesaw State not only provides a competitive test but also adds a narrative-rich matchup that will be of interest to fans and alumni alike.
