Alabama Will Face Ole Miss in Birmingham Exhibition

The two programs meet at Boutwell Auditorium on October 15 for a preseason exhibition contest.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Basketball

Alabama Will Face Ole Miss in Birmingham Exhibition

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Alabama basketball is set to face Ole Miss in an exhibition game on October 15, 2026. The matchup at Birmingham's Boutwell Auditorium will take place at 8 p.m. CT.

Why it matters

This exhibition serves as a key tune-up for both programs following Alabama's recent 111-93 win over Furman and Ole Miss's acquisition of transfer Roman Siulepa.

Patton Pinkins enters the matchup after shooting over 42 percent from three-point range last season while averaging 9.3 points per game. Roman Siulepa joins the Ole Miss rotation after recording 69 offensive rebounds during his previous regular season.

The players

Roman Siulepa

He is a transfer player who recently joined Ole Miss from Pitt and averaged 10 points per game as a freshman.

Patton Pinkins

He is an experienced shooter who started 20 games last season and maintained a three-point shooting accuracy exceeding 42 percent.

The details

The game marks a return to the court for both teams, building on the tension from their March matchup where Ole Miss narrowly defeated Alabama 80-79 in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals. Fans will look to see how new roster additions like Siulepa integrate against the Crimson Tide's offense.

The exhibition game is scheduled for October 15, 2026, at 8 p.m. CT.
Alabama previously defeated Furman 111-93 on October 8, 2026.
Ole Miss last defeated Alabama 80-79 during the SEC Tournament quarterfinals in March 2026.

Season Trajectory

This exhibition game offers an early look at how both teams stack up following their high-stakes encounter in the 2026 SEC Tournament quarterfinals. The result will provide coaches with data on roster chemistry ahead of the formal start to the regular season schedule.

Ticket holders attending the Boutwell Auditorium matchup can expect to see significant minutes for key returners like Patton Pinkins. The game allows fans to gauge the impact of new transfers such as Roman Siulepa within the team's offensive rotation.

The takeaway

Preseason exhibitions are essential for testing depth and integrating transfers into established team systems before conference play begins. Fans should watch for shooting efficiency and rebounding metrics as primary indicators of early-season form.