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Sights and Sounds: First 1 vs. 2 In SEC Basketball History, Auburn at Alabama

Photo Gallery: The atmosphere at Coleman Coliseum was unlike any basketball game that had ever bee played in Tuscaloosa.
Christopher Walsh|
Feb 15, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Mouhamed Dioubate (10) controls the ball against the Auburn Tigers during the first half at Coleman Coliseum.
Feb 15, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Mouhamed Dioubate (10) controls the ball against the Auburn Tigers during the first half at Coleman Coliseum. | Will McLelland-Imagn Images

In this story:

Alabama Crimson Tide

How big was Saturday's game between Alabama and Auburn in men's basketball at Coleman Colisuem? Not only was first place in the Southeastern Conference on the line, but No. 1 in the nation as the sport moved into its final month of the regualr season.

It was the first-ever No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup between SEC basketball teams, and just the sixth time it featured two teams from the same state.

Alabama already had seven wins over AP Top 25 opponents, tying the program record in a single
season (set in 2022-23), but it was also the Crimson Tide's first of seven-straight scheduled games against ranking opponents.

Here's a taste of what it was like ...

Second Half

Final score : Auburn 94, Alabama 85. The rematch will be in three weeks at Auburn. We'll add more photos later on when available.

Auburn close to closing out the win. If so, Bruce Pearl will be the first coach to win two No. 1 vs. 2 matchups with different teams.

Auburn Tigers forward Johni Broome and Alabama Crimson Tide center Clifford Omoruyi
Feb 15, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers forward Johni Broome (4) and Alabama Crimson Tide center Clifford Omoruyi (11) struggle over a rebound during the first half at Coleman Coliseum. | Will McLelland-Imagn Images

They're going to need that new arena because the roof is going to get blown off here pretty soon ... Alabama back in this as we head down the stretch:

Alabama Crimson Tide center Clifford Omoruyi
Feb 15, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide center Clifford Omoruyi (11) recovers a rebound against the Auburn Tigers at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Will McLelland-Imagn Images | Will McLelland-Imagn Images
Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl
Feb 15, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl directs his team against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Coleman Coliseum. | Will McLelland-Imagn Images
Alabama Crimson Tide center Clifford Omoruyi
Feb 15, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide center Clifford Omoruyi (11) controls the ball as Auburn Tigers guard Denver Jones (2) defends at Coleman Coliseum. | Will McLelland-Imagn Images

First Half

Auburn led at the half, 42-33. It was the first time all season that the Crimson Tide didn't lead at the break.

Alabama Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears
Feb 15, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears (1) receives the ball against the Auburn Tigers during the first half at Coleman Coliseum. | Will McLelland-Imagn Images
Alabama Crimson Tide forward Grant Nelson (4) goes for the block against Auburn Tigers forward Chaney Johnson (31)
Feb 15, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers forward Chaney Johnson (31) shoots a three point basket against Alabama Crimson Tide forward Grant Nelson (4) during the first half at Coleman Coliseum. | Will McLelland-Imagn Images
Alabama Crimson Tide forward Mouhamed Dioubate
Feb 15, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Mouhamed Dioubate (10) controls the ball against the Auburn Tigers during the first half at Coleman Coliseum. | Will McLelland-Imagn Images
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats
Feb 15, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats directs his team against the Auburn Tigers during the first half at Coleman Coliseum. | Will McLelland-Imagn Images
Auburn Tigers forward Chaney Johnson drives the ball against Alabama Crimson Tide forward Mouhamed Dioubate
Feb 15, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers forward Chaney Johnson (31) drives the ball against Alabama Crimson Tide forward Mouhamed Dioubate (10) during the first half at Coleman Coliseum. | Will McLelland-Imagn Images
Alabama Crimson Tide forward Mouhamed Dioubate recovers a rebound against Auburn Tigers center Dylan Cardwell
Feb 15, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Mouhamed Dioubate (10) recovers a rebound against Auburn Tigers center Dylan Cardwell (44) during the first half at Coleman Coliseum. | Will McLelland-Imagn Images

Pregame

The Crimson Tide men's locker room before the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 meeting in SEC history, Auburn at Alabama, Feb 15, 2025
The Crimson Tide men's locker room before the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 meeting in SEC history, Auburn at Alabama, on Feb 15, 2025 | Alabama Athletics

College GameDay got the crowd going Saturday morning ... and then some:

"It's gone from a rivalry game ... to a supremacy game."

Good morning!

Do you think Nate Oats slept much last night?

The crowd at Coleman Coliseum for No. 1 Auburn at No. 2 Auburn on Feb. 15, 2025
The crowd at Coleman Coliseum for No. 1 Auburn at No. 2 Auburn on Feb. 15, 2025 | Alabama Athletics

Series History

(From Alabama Sports Information)

Overall Series Record ........................................................................ Alabama leads, 102-68
Last Five Contests.................................................................................. Alabama leads, 3-2
Last 10 Contests ......................................................................................Alabama leads, 6-4
At Auburn.........................................................Auburn leads, 33-29 (Alabama Streak: lost 1)
At Alabama................................................. Alabama leads, 53-10 (Alabama Streak: won 2)
At Coleman Coliseum............................................................................ Alabama leads, 46-9
Neutral Site............................................................................................ Alabama leads, 12-6
Series Streak ....................................................................... Auburn's' streak is currently at 1
Last Meeting ............................................... Feb. 7, 2024 (Auburn defeated Alabama 99-81)

SEE ALSO: Why Nate Oats Criticized Two Veteran Alabama Basketball Players

Published | Modified
Christopher Walsh
CHRISTOPHER WALSH

Christopher Walsh is the founder and publisher of Alabama Crimson Tide On SI, which first published as BamaCentral in 2018, and is also the publisher of the Boston College, Missouri and Vanderbilt sites . He's covered the Crimson Tide since 2004 and is the author of 27 books including “100 Things Crimson Tide Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die” and “Nick Saban vs. College Football.” He's an eight-time honoree of Football Writers Association of America awards and three-time winner of the Herby Kirby Memorial Award, the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s highest writing honor for story of the year. In 2022, he was named one of the 50 Legends of the ASWA. Previous beats include the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, along with Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks. Originally from Minnesota and a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he currently resides in Tuscaloosa.

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