Alabama Hosts Sam Houston to Open 2026–27 Season

An unbeaten exhibition run led by Amari Allen leaves high expectations despite ongoing player availability and rebounding concerns.

Overview

Alabama opens its regular season Tuesday, Nov. 3, hosting Sam Houston at Coleman Coliseum with tipoff at 6:30 p.m. CT and exclusive streaming on SEC Network+.
The Crimson Tide finished 3-0 in exhibitions in October, with sophomore Amari Allen leading Alabama in scoring in each game and posting 23 points against Auburn.
The roster was overhauled in the offseason after Labaron Philon left for the NBA and several transfers and freshmen arrived, and freshman Cole Cloer is listed probable after missing the final exhibition with a lower-extremity issue.
Guard Aden Holloway remains suspended and will miss the start of the season, and coach Nate Oats says rebounding is still a major concern despite a bigger, taller front court.
Sam Houston comes in as a strong mid-major program that went 22-12 last season, finished second in Conference USA, made the NIT, and returns guards Justin Begg and Jacobe Coleman.