Anticipation runs high as Arizona, the newly crowned No. 1 in the AP poll, faces Alabama in a marquee matchup. The Wildcats (8-0) enter their first game at the top after defeating Florida, UCLA, UConn, and Auburn over the past five weeks to unseat Purdue. Alabama (7-2), riding a four-game win streak since losses to Gonzaga and Purdue, is hitting its stride offensively.
What time does the game start, and which TV, radio, and livestream platforms will broadcast this weekend’s showdown of Power Four teams? Here’s what you need to know about the matchup, including the tipoff, TV, radio, and livestream coverage details.
Arizona vs Alabama Game Details
Date: Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
Location: Legacy Arena, Birmingham, Alabama
How To Watch
TV Channel: ESPN
Announcers: Jon Sciambi (play-by-play), Fran Fraschilla (analyst)
Livestream: ESPN+
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network
Announcers: Chris Stewart (play-by-play), Bryan Passink (color)
SiriusXM: Channel 190 (Alabama), Channel 198 (Arizona)
Where Do Arizona and Alabama Stand Heading Into Week 6?
Arizona has climbed to the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 poll after consistently beating ranked teams in the first five weeks of the 2025-26 college basketball season. Tommy Lloyd’s team sent a warning to the nation that it can’t be taken for granted, stunning defending champion Florida 93-87 in its season opener at the Hall of Fame Series at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
Eleven days later, the Wildcats stormed the Intuit Dome in Inglewood and outclassed then-No. 15 UCLA 69-65. Their road conquest continued at Gampel Pavilion when they defeated UConn, ranked No. 3 at the time, 71-67. Arizona returned to Tucson and beat Denver (103-73), Norfolk State (98-61), and Week 5 No. 20 Auburn (97-68) to conclude its home stand at 3-0 and 8-0 overall.
The Wildcats head to a neutral location — technically Alabama territory — at Legacy Arena in Birmingham to take on the Crimson Tide. Alabama is 2-2 against ranked teams, with wins and losses alternating over those four games. After a 103-96 win over St. John’s, Nate Oats’s squad lost to Purdue (80-67), then beat Illinois (90-86), and finally fell to Gonzaga (95-85).
After splitting their four-game stretch against ranked opponents, Alabama responded with a four-game winning streak, routing UNLV (115-76), Maryland (105-72), Clemson (90-84) and UTSA (97-55).
Balanced Offense To Spice Up Arizona-Alabama Clash
Both teams emphasize balanced scoring. Arizona has eight players averaging at least 6.6 points per game, while Alabama has 10 players reaching that mark.
Freshman Koa Peat has emerged as Arizona’s top scorer, averaging 15.9 points per game on a56.3% shooting with 67.4% free-throw accuracy. The 6’8″ Peat also contributes 5.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
Supporting Peat, Jaden Bradley, Brayden Burries, and Anthony Dell’Orso have stepped up offensively. Bradley averages 14.5 points per game, while Burries and Dell’Orso each average 11.3 points per game. In the frontcourt, Motiejus Krivas and Tobe Awaka form a solid pairing for Lloyd’s team, combining for 19.2 points and 17.9 rebounds per game.
Alabama’s Labaron Philon and Aden Holloway have formed a strong 1-2 scoring punch in the first nine games. Philon averages 21.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.4 steals, while Holloway contributes 18.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.
Additional contributors include Jalil Bethea, Amari Allen, and Taylor Bol Bowen, who have averaged in double figures to help Alabama reach a 7-2 start. Allen is the team’s top rebounder, averaging 7.7 boards alongside 10.9 points per game.
The last meeting between the teams was Dec. 20, 2023, with Arizona winning 87-74. Oumar Ballo and Pelle Larsson scored 16 points each to lead the Wildcats. Arizona used a strong second-half push to overcome Alabama and avenge a 76-73 loss from 2018.
