Alabama, Auburn Set for Epic Showdown With Holloway’s Return

Tuscaloosa, Ala. — The highly anticipated clash between No. 1 Auburn and No. 2 Alabama has captured the attention of college basketball fans statewide, particularly due to the return of former Auburn player Aden Holloway, who transferred to Alabama in the offseason. This matchup will take place Saturday at Coleman Coliseum, marking the first time Holloway faces his old teammates since making the cross-rivalry move.

Holloway, a five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American, had a rocky freshman season at Auburn, averaging just 7.3 points per game while struggling with his shooting. Despite debuting with a standout performance against Baylor, he encountered difficulties throughout the season, including an unremarkable outing against Alabama. After his freshman year concluded with Auburn’s first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament, he entered the transfer portal and chose to join Alabama, where he now averages 11.8 points per game.

As both teams gear up for what could be one of the most significant regular-season matchups in the history of Alabama basketball, Auburn boasts a formidable 22-2 record and the nation’s top ranking. Holloway’s move to Alabama appears to have been beneficial for both parties. Auburn has seen freshman Tahaad Pettiford step up in Holloway’s absence, now averaging 11.5 points per game.

“I think things have worked out really well for both,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said during a news conference. “Aden’s playing great, his confidence is up. He’s one of the most dangerous players coming off the bench in the SEC.”

Holloway’s shift to Alabama has allowed him to thrive in a system that showcases his shooting skills. His shooting percentage has improved significantly since transferring, hitting 48.1% from the field and an impressive 42.1% from three-point range. With Alabama’s high-paced offensive style, Holloway plays a crucial role in their lineup, often coming off the bench yet holding one of the highest impact rates on the team.

Ahead of Saturday’s game, Pearl reflected on the emotional significance of the matchup. “Aden has an understanding of how we guard and how we’ll try to guard him,” he said. “There’s no question that he’s going to want to beat Auburn, and obviously, there’ll be an edge.”

The importance of this rivalry game is amplified not only by the teams’ AP rankings but also by the narrative surrounding Holloway’s return. “He’s a brother, always will be a brother,” remarked Denver Jones, Auburn’s senior guard and Holloway’s former backcourt partner. “We know a little bit of how he plays; it’ll be fun playing against him again.”

This matchup is not just significant for the players involved but also for the fans and the entire state of Alabama, keenly aware of the implications for both the SEC standings and potential NCAA tournament seeding. The game will stream live on ESPN, with College GameDay coverage set to begin at 9 a.m. CST.

As the countdown to tip-off continues, both teams aim to solidify their places as top contenders in college basketball, further intensifying the storied rivalry that has become synonymous with Alabama sports.