Alabama tops Auburn in rare preseason exhibition [PHOTOS]

For the first time in four decades, the Alabama and Auburn men’s basketball teams met on the court in Birmingham.

Thursday night’s game will not count toward either team’s tournament resume or the SEC standings but you would have thought a national championship was on the line with how the two rivals played.

Intensity was high throughout the game and in the moments after the final buzzer when Alabama secured an 87-85 victory over the Tigers at Legacy Arena.

Amari Allen led the Tide with 23 points while freshman Qayden Samuels added 20 points and 5 assists. Auburn was led by Kevin Overton who scored a game-high 26 points, making six 3-pointers along the way.

Iron Bowl of Basketball gets heated in Birmingham

There were several moments that nearly boiled over during the preseason rivalry. A jumpball in the first half led to a few shoves and a quick conversation between coaches Steven Pearl and Nate Oats. The refs ended up handing out a quadruple technical.

The game featured:

• 4 technical fouls
• 54 fouls
• 72 free throws
• 3 players disqualified

After the final buzzer, Alabama’s Amari Allen was pushed from behind as players from both teams exchanged words. The coaching staffs quickly intervened and sent players to their respective locker rooms without a postgame handshake.

What comes next for Alabama and Auburn?

The start of the 2026-27 college basketball season is just around the corner now.

Alabama, who was ranked No. 20 in the preseason AP poll, opens the season in Tuscaloosa against Sam Houston on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Meanwhile, Auburn still has one more exhibition game against Samford on Oct. 29. The Tigers will open the regular season against Southeastern Louisiana on Nov. 4 at Neville Arena.

The two teams will meet twice in the regular season including a game in Tuscaloosa on Jan. 30 with a return trip to Auburn on March 6.