SEC play provides no shortage of excitement yet again this season, including Wednesday’s huge matchup in Nashville. Unbeaten Vanderbilt welcomes a very strong Alabama squad to town, matching up what might be the conference’s two best teams at this moment in time. Which of these programs gets that assertive conference win here in early January?
It’s been no shortage of thrills for Alabama (11-3), who have played perhaps the nation’s toughest schedule and come out a national contender yet again. It’s been nearly a month since that last blemish, a tough performance against top-ranked Arizona, and the Crimson Tide have looked the part of a contender since, including in that 15-point win over Kentucky this past weekend to jumpstart league play.
Things have gone even better at Vanderbilt (14-0) as the Commodores remain perfect more than two months into the season. While they haven’t played the same elite-level of schedule, it’s hard to dismiss impressive performances against teams like Saint Mary’s, SMU, and UCF along the ride. We’ll see very soon just exactly what these Commodores are made of in this league.
Alabama vs. Vanderbilt: When and Where
Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 9:00 pm ET
Location: Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tennessee
Alabama vs. Vanderbilt: Where to Watch or Stream
Watch: ESPN2
Streaming: FuboTV
Alabama vs. Vanderbilt: Betting Odds
Spread: Vanderbilt Commodores -4.5, Alabama Crimson Tide +4.5
Moneyline: Vanderbilt Commodores -180, Alabama Crimson Tide +175
Total: 177.5
Alabama vs. Vanderbilt: Series History
All-time series: Alabama leads 78-71
Last meeting: Alabama 103, Vanderbilt 87 (January 21, 2025)
Projected Starting Lineups
Alabama Crimson Tide
Labaron Philon Jr. (21.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 5.4 apg)
Aden Holloway (18.4 ppg, 4.1 apg)
Amari Allen (10.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg)
Aiden Sherrell (8.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg)
Latrell Wrightsell (10.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg)
Vanderbilt Commodores
Tyler Tanner (16.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 5.5 apg)
Tyler Nickel (14.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg)
Duke Miles (17.1 ppg, 4.7 apg)
Devin McGlockton (10.9 ppg, 7.0 rpg)
AK Okereke (8.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg)
Vanderbilt is expected to have Miles back after a recent injury and he’s a big piece of the puzzle. The Commodores’ offense has been marvelous but everyone knows the Crimson Tide are just as potent on that side of the ball. This should become one of those high-scoring and high intensity matchups. Philon will be the best player on the court but it all depends on what Alabama gets behind him, especially out of their frontcourt. A solid Vanderbilt defense will have their hands full for 40 minutes.
Can Vanderbilt continue their perfect start to the season with what quite possibly would be their most impressive victory to date? Could the Crimson Tide snatch an early road win in league play and put an end to the Commodores’ perfect beginning?