Untitled Design 7 — Big Al doing Big Al things with ESPN in town. (ESPN PR)

The biggest college basketball matchup of the season so far is happening in Tuscaloosa this weekend and ESPN’s College Gameday will be on hand for the historic matchup.

No. 1 Auburn visits No. 2 Alabama on Saturday, marking the 45th time in men’s college basketball history that the top two teams in the AP Poll will play against each other.

Here’s what you need to know before tip off:

What: #1 Auburn Tigers (22-2, 10-1 SEC) at #2 Alabama Crimson Tide (21-3, 10-1 SEC)
Where: Coleman Coliseum | 1201 Coliseum Dr, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
When: 3PM | Saturday, Feb. 15
Watch: ESPN
Ticket information

The big day will start earlier for fans in Tuscaloosa as doors will open to Coleman Coliseum for the show at 8AM.

Learn more about how to attend or how you can watch from home:

Iron Bowl of Basketball

Alabama moves to No. 2 in AP Poll, setting up historic matchup with No. 1 Auburn

College Gameday starts on ESPN at 9AM but if you’re wanting to attend in person, you’ll likely have to get there much earlier. The university laid out some of the rules for attending Gameday for students:

Wristbands will be given out on a first come first serve basis and will get you priority access to the game
If you have a wristband, you must enter prior to 1:30PM
If you don’t stay for the entirety of the College GameDay show you will lose priority access for the game

The timeline for the events includes:

7:45AM – Doors open for Crimson Chaos members for College GameDay
8AM – Doors open for general public and all students
9AM – College GameDay Live from Coleman Coliseum
1PM – Doors open for students with priority wristbands
1:30PM – Doors open for all students based on seating availability
3PM – Tipoff

There will be special fan opportunities throughout the day including:

Sign Making Station: Get to College GameDay early and let your creativity shine! Grab a poster board and markers (thanks to State Farm) and make a sign that shows off your school spirit. The more clever and funny, the better – who knows, your sign might even make it on TV!
Net Hats: Want to be on TV and leave with a cool souvenir? Be one of the first fans at College GameDay, and not only will you be part of the live broadcast, but you’ll also have the chance to snag a legendary State Farm net hat to wear home!
Half Court Shot Contest: Think you’ve got game? Prove it! Show up early, and you might get a shot at being selected to make one half-court shot in :19 or less. You’ll get your moment on ESPN and a chance to win $19,000!

Who do you think wins the big matchup in Tuscaloosa this weekend? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, Facebook + LinkedIn.