Things are heating up in SEC country, where college basketball is practically a way of life. Fans and analysts are focused on the upcoming clash between Bruce Pearl’s Auburn Tigers and Nate Oats’s Alabama Crimson Tide. With the tournament fast approaching, this is no ordinary game—it’s a battle for the top of the SEC, bragging rights, and potentially the No. 1 national ranking. Alabama fans are fired up, but a national analyst has recently thrown some cold water on their hopes.

The last time these two teams met, Auburn made a bold statement. On February 7, 2024, they delivered a dominant 99-81 victory over Alabama. Jaylin Williams and Johni Broome combined for 50 points, leaving the Crimson Tide stunned and scrambling for answers.

This rematch is even more intense now that both teams sit at 10-1 in the conference. A win here means taking sole possession of first place in the SEC and a real shot at that coveted No. 1 ranking.

However, former North Carolina Tar Heel John Henson has a much different opinion about Nate Oats’s chances. On ‘The Field of 68: After Dark,’ Henson didn’t hold back, saying, “I think, from a matchup perspective, the bigs neutralize each other. They both have very good, solid size down low. I think it’s going to come down to the guards, and I love Auburn’s guards; I really do. Alabama is going to have their hands full, and so is Auburn. But I’m going to have to lean toward Auburn on the road. They always seem to rise to the occasion, especially when there are injuries. As soon as you kind of doubt them, it’s almost like you look up, and they are up 10 points.”

And honestly? He’s got a point. This season Nate Oats’s Auburn has been shredding up opponents with the guard play. They have the SEC’s highest field goal percentage at 48.6 percent and always seem to dig deep when it matters. The bottom line is that if Alabama wants to contain Auburn’s backcourt, their defense is going to have to step up.

Nate Oats vs Bruce Pearl: A clash with tournament implications

Beyond this heated rivalry, both Alabama and Auburn have their eyes on a deep run in March Madness. Auburn has held on to the No. 1 ranking for five straight weeks. Alabama is not far behind at No. 2 and both teams are 10-1 in conference play. Regardless of how this game plays out, both squads are ready to be major forces in the NCAA tournament.

As of February 15, 2025, Alabama is on fire with a seven-game winning streak, their latest being a dominant 103-80 win over Texas. Meanwhile, Auburn was on a 14 game winning streak—the second longest in the country going out to No. 6 Florida where they were defeated 90-81. 

As game day approaches, it’s clear this is a must-watch matchup. This game could set the tone for what lies ahead in March, with both teams possessing the potential to make a deep run. But they’ll need to find their stride. The big question: Can Nate Oats’s squad silence the doubters, or will Auburn secure another victory? It’s shaping up to be a wild ride, and the answer is just around the corner.