Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide welcome their first power-conference opponent of the season to Coleman Coliseum Friday night, as the Seton Hall Pirates come to Tuscaloosa for a matchup between undefeated teams. The two programs have split two prior meetings, with Seton Hall taking the last one back in 2010.
Head coach Shaheen Holloway begins his fifth season, having returned to his alma mater in 2022 after a successful stint at Saint Peter’s, where in 2022 he guided the Peacocks to the Elite Eight
as a No. 15 seed. His time at Seton Hall has been a bit of a roller coaster. After winning 25 games with a NIT championship in 2024, the Pirates stumbled to a miserable 7-25 record the following season. Holloway responded with an impressive turnaround in 2025-26, guiding Seton Hall to a 21-12 record while taking home a Big East Coach of the Year award. Unfortunately they were one of the first four out in March and decided to take their ball and go home rather than go for another NIT.
This one will be a study in contrasting styles, really for the first time this season. Unlike Oats, Holloway isn’t particularly interested in turning basketball games into track meets. According to WalterNolan, Seton Hall ranks 325th in pace of play while Alabama is the 11th fastest team in America. The Pirates get after it on defense, allowing just 54.7 points per game, but their offense has been less than stellar. If Alabama is able to get out in transition, this one could be another walk, but Seton Hall will undoubtedly do everything within their power to drag the Tide into a street fight.
Like everyone else, Seton Hall is breaking in a bunch of new faces. Holloway lost his top four scorers, representing 41 points per game to replace. Among the losses was do-everything point guard Budd Clark, who is now at Ole Miss and scored 15 against Alabama in exhibition play. This is one of the more extreme rebuilds you’ll find as reserve Trey Parker is the only scholarship player who returns from last season.
The Pirates are easily the toughest opponent that Alabama has faced to date, ranking 79th on KenPom. Alabama’s three previous foes are all outside the top 150 currently.
Players to Watch:
PG Roddie Anderson, 6’3″ senior
Anderson is on his fourth stop after UC San Diego, Boise State, and Xavier. He leads the Pirates in scoring at 17 per game, more than double anyone else on the roster, and has been quite consistent. He’s also been on fire from deep, with 10 made threes in only 18 attempts. You can bet that Oats will focus the defensive gameplan around limiting Anderson.
F Terry Copeland Jr., 6’9″ junior
The 270-lb. Copeland is a load in the paint. The New Jersey native’s path has been interesting as he started out at Northern Illinois, played in one game before getting injured, then went the juco route before coming home to South Orange this season. He was the juco player of the year last season, averaging 19.8 points and 7.9 rebounds to lead Howard College to a national title.
G Simeon Wilcher, 6’4″ senior
Wilcher is a former top 50 recruit out New Jersey, who returns home after stints at St. John’s and Texas. He’s more of a slasher who has struggled from outside but uses his length effectively, averaging 4.7 rebounds and one steal per night thus far.
G Mihailo Petrovic, 6’2″ junior
A 23-year-old transfer from Illinois, where he played very sparingly, Petrovic acts as a primary ballhandler when on the floor. He filled up the box score last time out against Charlotte with 12 points, six assists, and three steals despite coming off the bench.
G Del Jones, 6’3″ junior
Jones arrives from Radford, where he earned Second-Team All-Big South honors after averaging 17.2 points and 3.5 assists last season. The former four-star recruit began his college career at Clemson before transferring to Radford. Jones has started all three games thus far, but keeps yielding more and more minutes to Petrovic. He only played seven minutes against Charlotte despite getting the starting nod.
F Elijah Fisher, 6’6″ senior
A 220 pound transfer from Pacific, Fisher is a physical wing who fits Holloway’s preferred style of play. His size and experience will offer a challenge on the perimeter. Fisher doesn’t shoot the ball very often but leads the team in rebounds with 5.7 a night.
F Devin Williams, 6’10” junior
A transfer from Florida Atlantic, Williams is a long, lean big who primarily spells Copeland . At 205 lb. he isn’t particularly bulky, but his length makes him a factor around the basket. Williams provided a significant lift off the bench against Charlotte, scoring 16 points and blocking two shots.
Three Keys:
1. Who dictates the tempo?
This will be an intriguing clash of styles, as Alabama wants to run and get off as many good shots as possible, while Seton Hall wants to make every possession a physical, half-court battle. The Pirates have allowed fewer than 55 points per game thus far, but haven’t faced anything resembling Alabama’s offense. If they are able to slow the Tide down, Alabama’s revamped frontcourt will be tested in the half court game for the first time this season.
2. Can Alabama keep lighting it up from deep?
The Tide was on fire against Oakland, knocking down 24 three-pointers and tying a school record with 30 assists. London Jemison led the way, connecting on all six of his three-point attempts, while Amari Allen and Aden Holloway combined to make 7-12. Seton Hall will be a significant step up in terms of perimeter defense.
3. Will Alabama learn to box out?
Nate hasn’t been particularly thrilled with his team’s effort in keeping opponents off of the offensive glass thus far. Seton Hall hasn’t been great at crashing the boards, ranking 165th nationally with a 30.2 OR% according to The Breakdown, but Alabama allows 35% for 14 second chance points per game, a putrid respective 285th and 271st. This will be a big problem in SEC play if the Tide can’t figure it out.
How to Watch:
Date: Friday, November 13, 2026
Tipoff: 8:00 p.m. CT
Location: Coleman Coliseum
TV: SEC Network
Roll Tide!
