IOWA CITY — Iowa men’s basketball has added a big-time SEC program to its 2026-27 non-conference schedule.
Iowa will play Alabama on Dec. 21, 2026, at Casey’s Center in Des Moines.
It will be the first of a two-game series against the Crimson Tide. The second game will be played during the 2027-28 season in Mobile, Alabama. A date has not been finalized.
“These neutral site games create a unique opportunity to play marquee opponents while bringing Hawkeye basketball directly to our fans across Iowa,” head coach Ben McCollum said in a release. “We’re thrilled to have multiple opportunities to play in-state during the 2026-27 season, starting with our return to the Casey’s Center. Combined with our plan for an 18-game home schedule that includes 10 conference contests and Iowa State, it’s an exciting year for our program and our fans.”
The Crimson Tide has enjoyed great success under head coach Nate Oats, who is entering his eighth season leading the program. Alabama has emerged as an SEC powerhouse, advancing to at least the Sweet 16 in each of the last four seasons. That impressive stretch includes a Final Four appearance in 2024 and an Elite Eight appearance in 2025. Last season, Alabama was knocked off in the Sweet 16 by eventual champion Michigan.
Like Iowa, Alabama lost its best player from last season, Labaron Philon Jr., who led the Crimson Tide in points (22) and assists per game (five). Alabama also saw the departures of key rotational pieces in Aiden Sherrell, Latrell Wrightsell Jr., Houston Mallette and Taylor Bol Bowen.
The Crimson Tide could bring back the team’s second-leading scorer last season, Aden Holloway, but his status is still unclear due to legal trouble. After testing NBA Draft waters, Amari Allen is returning to Alabama after a freshman season in which he averaged 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.
The Crimson Tide added some firepower in the transfer portal by landing Drew Fielder, who averaged 14.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 41% from deep at Boise State last season. Alabama’s transfer portal class also includes Brandon Garrison (Kentucky) and Jamarion Davis-Fleming (Mississippi State). Those newcomers give Alabama some size in the frontcourt — with each being listed at 6-foot-10 or taller, although Iowa should be better equipped to deal with that than last season.
Alabama also has a highly regarded 2026 high school recruiting class with a pair of five-star prospects and one four-star joining the program.
The Crimson Tide is known for having an up-tempo, high-octane offense, which could make for quite the clash in styles with Iowa, which plays a more deliberate style.
The matchup with Alabama beefs up Iowa’s non-conference schedule, which also includes games against Creighton, Xavier and Iowa State.
The Hawkeyes are also playing the Bluejays at Casey’s Center. A few days later, the Hawkeyes travel to Xavier for what should be an electric road environment. Iowa’s rivalry matchup with Iowa State comes on Dec. 10 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes are looking for their first win in the series since 2022.
What we know so far about Iowa’s 2026-27 non-conference schedule:
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This article originally appeared on Hawk Central: Iowa men’s basketball will play Nate Oats’ Alabama squad in Des Moines
Reporting by Tyler Tachman, Des Moines Register / Hawk Central
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By Tyler Tachman, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
