Alabama basketball adds series with Big Ten opponent to schedule
Alabama basketball will play neutral-site games against one of last season's Elite Eight teams.
Olivia Bennett 
The Alabama basketball schedule just got a significant boost. As reported by 205focus.com, the Crimson Tide have officially booked a high-profile, two-game series against a Big Ten opponent, agreeing to face Iowa during both the 2026-27 and 2027-28 campaigns.
A Neutral-Site Showdown
This home-and-away alternative takes the Crimson Tide and the Hawkeyes away from their traditional campus venues. The first leg of the series is set for December 21, 2026, at the Casey’s Center in Des Moines. The follow-up meeting for the 2027-28 season will take place in Mobile, with the potential for the contest to be held at the new Regions Arena, which broke ground in 2025 and is slated to open in 2027.
Testing the Tide
Securing a matchup against Iowa aligns perfectly with Nate Oats’ long-standing philosophy of building a grueling non-conference schedule to prepare for the intensity of SEC play. The Hawkeyes, coming off a 24-13 campaign that included an impressive run to the Elite Eight, represent a formidable test.
Iowa head coach Ben McCollum highlighted the importance of these marquee matchups, noting in the announcement that such games provide a unique platform to engage fans across Iowa. These programs have limited history, having played only twice before with a split series record. Their last meeting took place back in 2010 in the Virgin Islands.
Filling Out the Slate
The Iowa series joins a loaded 2026-27 non-conference lineup for Alabama. The Crimson Tide are set to face a rigorous slate that includes Houston, Miami, St. John’s, and Seton Hall. Additionally, Alabama will head to Las Vegas to participate in the Players Era event. You can keep track of all the latest updates on the Crimson Tide here as the team builds its schedule, including previously announced matchups like the ACC/SEC Challenge.
