Two very notable SEC teams will battle for the second time this season as part of a packed Saturday slate of basketball action. The road team came up big in Tuscaloosa the last time Alabama and Tennessee battled, but can the Crimson Tide return the favor in this late-season matchup in Knoxville?
With their play in recent weeks, Alabama (21-7) is one of the hottest teams both in the SEC and in the nation. The Crimson Tide have run off seven straight wins, upending Texas A&M, Auburn, and Arkansas during this recent stretch while getting up to 11-4 in the conference. It’d be pretty hard for Alabama to nab the SEC title at this point but they’ve certainly done themselves a world of good in regards to March Madness and where they end up.
The tale had largely been the same for Tennessee (20-8), though their recent streak of success was broken up by a tough loss at Missouri earlier this week. Still, the Volunteers had won eight of nine before that, including that key win at Alabama near the end of January. This team is also getting right when it matters most, with their defensive in particular shining down the stretch.
Alabama vs. Tennessee: When and Where
Date:Â Saturday, February 28, 2026, 6:00 pm ET
Location:Â Food City Center in Knoxville, Tennessee
Alabama vs. Tennessee: Where to Watch or Stream
Watch:Â ESPN
Streaming: FuboTV
Alabama vs. Tennessee: Betting Odds
Spread: Tennessee Volunteers -4, Alabama Crimson Tide +4
Moneyline:Â Tennessee Volunteers -225, Alabama Crimson Tide +186
Total: 164.5
Alabama vs. Tennessee: Series History
All-time series:Â Alabama leads 82-75
Last meeting:Â Tennessee 79, Alabama 73 (January 24, 2026)
Projected Starting Lineups
Alabama Crimson Tide
Labaron Philon Jr. (21.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 5.0 apg)
Aden Holloway (16.9 ppg, 4.1 apg)
Amari Allen (12.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.4 apg)
Aiden Sherrell (11.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
Latrell Wrightsell (12.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg)
Tennessee Volunteers
Ja’Kobi Gillespie (18.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 5.4 apg)
Nate Ament (17.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg)
Jaylen Carey (7.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg)
Felix Okpara (7.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg)
Bishop Boswell (6.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.0 apg)
The first matchup in Tuscaloosa featured some tough shooting from Alabama and a strong second half that allowed Tennessee to steal that win. Philon did alright with 26 points but the Crimson Tide as a whole have been far more consistent during this winning streak. If Alabama wants to serve some revenge on the road, they’ll need to be smart with the basketball, create opportunities, and hit those outside shots when they get them. We don’t even know if they’ll have Philon, who missed Alabama’s last game to injury, and they’d really need someone else to carry that mantle if he’s gone. Tennessee just wants to keep feeding Ament and Gillespie while finding ways to slow down Alabama’s quick-hit offense.
Will see Alabama continue this valiant winning streak and get their revenge on the Volunteers? Can Tennessee take advantage of an Alabama team that might not be at full strength and hold serve on their home floor?