Alabama and Illinois are working on an agreement to play basketball next season in Birmingham, Jon Rothstein reports.
Multiple sources told College Hoops Today the game would be played in December, and there would be a return game during the 2025-26 season at the United Center in Chicago.
The news comes a day after it was reported the Nate Oats’ Crimson Tide squad is one of seven teams which will participate in “Players Era Festival” in Las Vegas. The event will include $1 million NIL payouts for eight participating schools.
Alabama, along with Houston, Notre Dame, Oregon, Rutgers, San Diego State and Texas A&M have all agreed to participate, per CBS Sports.
It has been a busy offseason for the Tide, coming off the program’s first Final Four appearance.
Clifford Omoruyi, a 6-foot-11 transfer from Rutgers, committed to the Crimson Tide after visiting the program last Monday. He is the fourth transfer Oats has brought in this offseason.
Meanwhile, Grant Nelson announced last week he plans to use his fifth and final year of eligibility in Tuscaloosa. Also, former Mr. Basketball in the state of Alabama, Labarron Philon, five days after requesting Kansas to release from his letter of intent, committed to the Tide.
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.