Alabama basketball will participate in another closed-door scrimmage prior to the start of the 2023-24 season.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the Crimson Tide will once again face off against TCU in a preseason matchup this October. The scrimmage will take place in Birmingham.
This game against TCU is one of two preseason scrimmages for Alabama. The Crimson Tide will also play a charity exhibition game against Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on Sunday, October 29.
Following the preseason games, Alabama’s fifth season under coach Nate Oats will officially begin on November 6, with a game against Morehead State at Coleman Coliseum.
Although Alabama suffered a significant loss against TCU in last year’s closed scrimmage, the experience proved to be valuable for the Crimson Tide. The Horned Frogs defeated Alabama 99-69, with the Crimson Tide committing 22 turnovers.
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Looking back on that game, Alabama’s fortunes took a turn for the better, as they went on to become the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament by winning both the SEC regular-season championship and the SEC Tournament.
“We got drilled,” Oats acknowledged in March. “The TCU scrimmage was actually the best thing that could have happened to us.”
Following the scrimmage against TCU, Alabama’s players held a meeting to discuss their performance, and it proved to be productive. The reality check provided by the TCU scrimmage set Alabama on the path to a historic season.
“I’ll make sure to schedule another scrimmage where we get beaten next year,” Oats joked after winning the SEC Tournament in March.
Nick Kelly, a reporter for The Tuscaloosa News and part of the USA TODAY Network, covers Alabama football and men’s basketball. You can reach him at [email protected] or follow him on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
Laura Davis covers the world of basketball with precision. Her articles explore NBA and college basketball, offering game analysis, player profiles, and highlights. Laura’s passion for hoops is evident in her comprehensive basketball coverage.
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