​On February 18, 2026, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, a memorable moment unfolded at Coleman Coliseum as Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. (0) celebrated with a sprint up the court after the Crimson Tide defeated Arkansas in a dramatic 117-115 double-overtime win. Philon finished as Alabama’s top scorer with 35 points, earning mandatory credit to Gary Cosby Jr. of the Tuscaloosa News for capturing the scene.
Amid the excitement of that game, Alabama basketball revealed a potential addition to its 2026-27 schedule: a nonconference game against in-state foe Samford. The announcement came via a social media post from basketball insider Rocco Miller, indicating that Samford would travel from Birmingham to Coleman Coliseum for a head-to-head matchup. While a specific date has not yet been released, the contest is notable for marking the first meeting between Alabama and Samford on the Coleman Coliseum floor since 2010.
Historically, the last meeting between the two programs resulted in a Crimson Tide victory, as Alabama defeated Samford 79-60 in Tuscaloosa. Samford’s 2025-26 season ended with an 18-14 record, a campaign that represented Lennie Acuff’s inaugural season as Samford’s head coach. The upcoming clash will add another layer of regional intrigue to Alabama’s nonconference slate.
For context, Alabama’s 2026-27 nonconference schedule already includes a mix of notable regular-season games, though several dates remain tentative. The tentative list features contests slated for November against Sam Houston on the 11th, Seton Hall on the 13th, Kennesaw State on the 17th, and Baylor on the 24th as part of the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada. The schedule also lists a potential matchup against Gonzaga or Kansas State on November 26, and a game with an opponent TBD on November 27 as part of the same Las Vegas event.
December add-ons include a December 2 road game at Miami, followed by a December 12 home clash with St. John’s as part of the C.M. Newton Classic in Birmingham, Alabama. A December 21 game against Iowa is also on the horizon, set to take place at the Casey Center in Des Moines, Iowa. After the calendar turns to 2027, Alabama has a planned game in New York City against Houston and matchups at South Florida and against Samford, though several of these dates remain to be finalized.
Coverage of Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics continues with Emilee Smarr reporting for The Tuscaloosa News. Smarr can be reached via email at esmarr@usatodayco.com for readers seeking updates, insights, and in-depth coverage of the program as it prepares for the upcoming season.
This article, originally published by The Tuscaloosa News, examines Alabama’s men’s basketball program and its forthcoming nonconference schedule, including the in-state contest against Samford, and offers a broader look at the team’s trajectory entering the 2026-27 season. The piece is designed to enhance SEO relevance while delivering a comprehensive overview of the Crimson Tide’s nonconference strategy, key players, and potential schedule implications for fans and followers alike.