The nation’s new No. 1, Arizona, will play its first game as the top team in the country for the first time since 2023 in what will be its fifth game against a top 25 opponent.
Arizona has by far the most impressive resume in the sport with wins over Florida, UCLA, UConn, and Auburn. Tommy Lloyd has his best team since arriving in Tucson, powered by freshman sensation Koa Peat and veteran guard Jaden Bradley. The Wildcats have excellent size, ranking seventh in average height per KenPom, which they’ve used to dominate the paint on both ends.
In typical Nate Oats fashion, Alabama can score with the best of them. The Crimson Tide lost to Purdue and Gonzaga in November as part of a four-game stretch that also featured wins over St. John’s and Illinois. Labaron Philon has commanded lead guard duties, playing like an All-American throughout the non-conference season.
Arizona vs. Alabama: When and Where
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025, 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama
Arizona vs. Alabama: Where to Watch or Stream:
TV: ESPN
Streaming: YouTube TV
Arizona vs. Alabama: Betting Odds
Spread: N/A
Moneyline: N/A
Total: N/A
Arizona vs. Alabama: Series History
All time series: Alabama leads 3-2
Last meeting: Arizona 87, Alabama 74 (December 20, 2023)
Starting Lineups
Arizona
Koa Peat (15.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg)
Jaden Bradley (14.5 ppg, 3.8 apg)
Brayden Burries (11.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg)
Motiejus Krivas (9.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg)
Ivan Kharchenkov (7.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg)
Alabama
Labaron Philon (21.4 ppg, 5.4 apg)
Aden Holloway (18.2 ppg, 4.3 apg)
Taylor Bol Bowen (10.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg)
Houston Mallette (9.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg)
Aiden Sherrell (8.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg)
Alabama is one of the few teams capable of matching Arizona in size, also ranking in the top 25 for average height. The Crimson Tide must use their size to limit Arizona on the offensive glass, where the Wildcats grab over 40 percent of their misses.
Saturday’s meeting will be a unique clash of offensive philosophies as Arizona shoots three-pointers at one of the nation’s lowest rates, while Alabama chucks it as much as anyone. The Tide hit from deep at a slightly above average rate, but the spacing helps open the scoring inside where they convert nearly 63 percent of attempts.
Alabama beat a No. 1 team earlier in the calendar year when Mark Sears hit a game-winner to take down Auburn. The Tide will look to end Arizona’s perfect start, while the Cats hunt for another resume-boosting victory.