Bediako Focused on "Next Game," Not Tuesday Hearing

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The reception to Charles Bediako from the Coleman Coliseum crowd was a standing ovation from the Crimson Tide faithful as the seven-foot big man checked into a game for the Crimson Tide for the first time since March 2023. Bediako immediately rewarded the white-out crowd with a wide-open slam for two points for the Crimson Tide, and followed it up with a layup, giving the former Motor City Cruise forward scoring four points in his first four minutes in an Alabama jersey this season.

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The warm reception was short-lived, however, with the Tide unable to hang on to its first-half lead of three points, and Tennessee souring Bediako's return to Alabama's lineup. Despite the loss, Bediako showed significant strides in his game from the last time he played for Nate Oats, finishing Saturday night's contest with 13 points on 5-6 shooting from the floor.

"It was an amazing feeling," Bediako said of returning to Coleman Coliseum as a player for the first time in almost three years. "I just thank everybody in Coleman. It was great; everybody coming to support. It felt great to be back, especially playing with 'Alabama' across my chest."

The emotions of Bediako returning to Alabama have been mixed, depending on whether you are an Alabama fan or not. Either way, it's the stark reality of college basketball: professional players are allowed to play college basketball. Bediako's two-way contract with the Detroit Pistons and the Motor City Cruise (The Pistons' NBA G-League affiliate team) has been the sticking point for the NCAA in barring Bediako from playing his final semester of college basketball. Bediako filed a temporary restraining order on Tuesday against the NCAA, allowing him to play until the restraining order expired (10 days) or until his case is heard by the circuit judge in Tuscaloosa, with whom he filed his lawsuit.

That hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27. Ideally, a decision will be made on Bediako's continued presence with the Crimson Tide. Despite just three rebounds from him on Saturday night, his rim protection and size could prove invaluable to Alabama, especially if the Crimson Tide continues its laundry list of injured players this season.

The decision on Tuesday looms large over not just Bediako, but the Crimson Tide men's basketball team as a whole. Despite that, the focus for the team, and Bediako, is on the Missouri Tigers, who Alabama plays on Tuesday night.

"Right now, I'm just focused on the team," Bediako said. "I'm just gonna dissect what happened today and just continue to do film. Right now, my main focus is on this next game, just getting better with this team."

Bediako's hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, but no exact time has been set yet. The Crimson Tide will face the Missouri Tigers in Coleman Coliseum on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. CT.

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_.