Alabama MBB Playing Big 12 Foe in Birmingham

During the 2023-24 men's basketball season, the Alabama Crimson Tide traveled to Phoenix, Arizona, for a date with the Wildcats. Alabama fell in the matchup 87-74, but the Crimson Tide was able to turn its season around and return to Phoenix for the Final Four later in the season.

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Now, Alabama will get the return trip, with Arizona travelling to Birmingham, Alabama for a date with the Crimson Tide. According to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, the game will take place on December 13, 2025.

While it is not yet officially announced, that is the likely date for the C.M. Newton Classic. Alabama defeated Illinois 100-87 in the C.M. Newton Classic during the 2024-25 men's basketball season.

In Alabama's 87-74 loss to Arizona in Phoenix on December 20, 2023, Grant Nelson led the way for the Tide in scoring with 17 points in the loss. Sam Walters had 15, Mark Sears scored 12, and Aaron Estrada rounded out the Tide scorers with double-digit points with 11. Only Latrell Wrightsell Jr. is still on the team from Alabama's matchup with Arizona. Wrightsell played off the bench in the matchup, scoring two points in 16 minutes of play.

For Arizona, Oumar Ballo and Pelle Larsson led the way with 16 points apiece, while Kylan Boswell had 15, Caleb Love had 13, and Keshad Johnson had 11 points. Arizona's entire starting five scored double digits that night.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.