The No. 15 Alabama Crimson Tide kick off their 2025-26 campaign against North Dakota on Monday night, navigating significant roster turnover with promising returners and injured stars back on the court, while the Fighting Hawks face their own rebuilding challenge after losing multiple top scorers.
The highly anticipated 2025-26 college basketball season officially tips off for the No. 15 Alabama Crimson Tide on Monday night as they host the North Dakota Fighting Hawks in Tuscaloosa, Ala. After a remarkable run that included a Final Four berth two seasons ago and an Elite Eight appearance last year, head coach Nate Oats’ squad is poised to reload, facing the challenge of integrating new talent and returning veterans.
Navigating Key Departures: The Sears, Nelson, and Youngblood Impact
Alabama’s success in recent seasons was heavily reliant on the contributions of several standout players who have since moved on. The most prominent departure is first-team All-American guard Mark Sears, who led the team with an impressive 18.6 points per game. His high-scoring prowess and clutch play will be sorely missed.
In addition to Sears, the Crimson Tide also bid farewell to crucial frontcourt presence Grant Nelson, who averaged 11.5 points and 7.6 rebounds, and versatile wing Chris Youngblood, who contributed 10.3 ppg. These losses represent a significant void in both scoring and experience that Coach Oats and his staff must address.
The Core of the Reload: Key Returners and Injury Comebacks
Despite the high-profile departures, Alabama is far from starting from scratch. They boast a strong returning core ready to step into expanded roles. Guard Labaron Philon, who averaged 10.6 ppg in his freshman season, opted to return after initially flirting with the NBA draft. Fellow guard Aden Holloway (11.4 ppg, 87 3-pointers) is another critical piece, expected to make a significant leap in his second year with the program.
Perhaps most exciting for fans is the return of two experienced guards from injury: Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (Achilles) and Houston Mallette (knee). Both players had their 2024-25 campaigns cut short by medical redshirts but are now fully recovered. Wrightsell, who averaged 11.5 points in eight games before his injury and is entering his sixth season of college basketball, expressed his excitement to be back on the court.
“I’m really excited to get out there and play a game again and get my feet out there and play,” Wrightsell said. “I just realized that I was stronger than what I thought. I thought with an Achilles injury you’re done for good.”
Coach Oats highlighted the importance of these returners at the recent Southeastern Conference media festivities, as reported by ESPN’s coverage of SEC Media Day. “We lost quite a bit,” Oats acknowledged. “I think we’ve got good talent coming in. We had some guys that were out last year on a medical redshirt that have experience, Houston Mallette and Latrell Wrightsell, that I think really add something to the team. You add Philon back, great freshman year, decided to come back after entering the draft. Holloway, I think he made a big jump from his freshman to sophomore year. First year with us was a sophomore year. I think he’s going to make a bigger jump.”
North Dakota’s Own Rebuilding Challenge: A Rematch of Last Season’s Thriller
The season opener is a rematch of last season’s memorable clash, where Alabama narrowly prevailed 97-90 in Grand Forks, N.D. The Fighting Hawks, who finished 12-21 in 2024-25, led for more than half the game and were tied at 85 with under two minutes left, proving they can push top-tier opponents.
However, North Dakota faces an even steeper rebuilding task this season, having lost their top three scorers. The star of last season’s game against Alabama, Treysen Eaglestaff, who poured in 40 points, is no longer with the team, having transferred to West Virginia via the transfer portal. Second-leading scorer Mier Panoam (13.0 ppg) transferred to Xavier, and third-leading scorer Amar Kuljuhovic (10.7 ppg) departed for Missouri State.
This significant roster overhaul means Fighting Hawks coach Paul Sather is focused on developing new roles and chemistry. “Developing roles and really getting guys to understand how they can improve and keep improving and developing in this team,” Sather said at Summit League media day, “because we’re so far right now from where we need to be, but I love how these guys are working.”
The key returner for North Dakota is guard Eli King, who averaged 9.5 points and 5.9 rebounds last season while starting all 33 games. Sather highlighted King’s importance: “We’re leaning on him a lot. Not from a guy that you’ve gotta get us so many points, or this or that, but just from that experience that he brings on both sides of the floor. And he’s a very calming factor for us.” Information on key transfers and team rosters can often be found through 247Sports’ college basketball transfer tracker.
Fan Outlook: High Expectations and Cautious Optimism
For the Crimson Tide faithful, this opener represents the first look at a new era. While the departures of stars like Sears are significant, the return of talent like Philon and Holloway, combined with the healthy return of Wrightsell and Mallette, fuels optimism. Fans will be eager to see how Oats molds this revamped roster, particularly how the team adapts offensively without Sears’ consistent scoring.
The game against North Dakota is more than just a season opener; it’s a litmus test for both teams. For Alabama, it’s about setting the tone for a reloading season and showcasing their new depth. For North Dakota, it’s an early opportunity to test their new lineup against a ranked opponent and demonstrate their resilience despite major roster changes. The atmosphere in Tuscaloosa promises to be electric as both squads embark on their 2025-26 campaigns.
