Purdue Basketball: #15 Alabama Crimson Tide Preseason Preview
Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Type of School: Public
Mascot: Big Al (The Elephant)
Purdue Game Date: November 13th, 2025
Purdue Game Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
2024-25 Season: 28-9 (13-5 in SEC play)
2024-25 NCAA Tournament: #2 Seed - Lost to Duke in Regional Final
Head Coach: Nate Oats
Seasons at Alabama: 7
Alabama Record: 145-63
Career Record: 241-106
Regular Season Conference Championships: 4 (Buffalo 2, Alabama 2)
Conference Tournament Championships: 5 (Buffalo 3, Alabama 2)
NCAA Appearances: 9
Final 4 Appearances: 1
Key Losses From 2024-25
- Mark Sears (Shooting Guard): Sr., 6'1", 190 lbs, 32 minutes, 19 points, 3 assists
- Clifford Omoruyi (Center): Sr., 6'11", 250 lbs, 19 minutes, 8 rebounds, 7 assists
- Grant Nelson (Power Forward): Sr., 6'11", 230 lbs, 12 minutes, 8 points, 2 assists
- Mouhamed Dioubate (Wing/Forward): So., 6'7", 215 lbs, 16 minutes, 7 points, 6 assists
- Jarin Stevenson (Forward): So., 6'11", 215 lbs, 19 minutes, 5 points, 3 assists
- Derrion Reid (Wing): Fr., 6'8", 220 lbs, 14 minutes, 6 points, 3 assists
Key Returning Players from 2024-25
- Labaron Philon (Point Guard): So., 6'4", 185 lbs, 25 minutes, 11 points, 3 assists
- Latrell Wrightsell (Small Forward): Gr., 6'3", 195 lbs, 26 minutes, 12 points, 2 assists
- Aden Holloway (Shooting Guard): Jr., 6'1", 180 lbs, 21 minutes, 11 points, 2 assists
- Aiden Sherrell (Center): So., 6'10", 255 lbs, 9 minutes, 3 points, 3 assists
Key Portal Additions
- Taylor Bol Bowen (Forward): Jr., 6'10", 202 lbs, Florida State, 4*(95), 25 minutes, 8 points, 5 assists
- Noah Williamson (Center): Sr., 7'0", 250 lbs, Bucknell, 4*(95), 30 minutes, 18 points, 8 assists
- Jalil Bethea (Guard): So., 6'5", 190 lbs, Miami, 4*(94), 19 minutes, 7 points, 2 assists
- Keitenn Bristow (Forward): So., 6'10", 205 lbs, Tarleton St., 4*(92), 26 minutes, 11 points, 4 assists
Key 2025 Recruits
- London Jemison (Power Forward): 6'8", 205 lbs, 4*(96), 32 minutes, 7 points
- Davion Hannah (Combo Guard): 6'6", 190 lbs, 4*(95), 48 minutes, 5 points
- Amari Allen (Small Forward): 6'8", 205 lbs, 4*(93), 74 minutes, 17 points
- Collins Onyejiaka (Center): 6'11", 265 lbs, 4*(91), 115 minutes, 11 points
Alabama in a Nutshell
Without Mark Sears, Alabama's perimeter-oriented attack may look different, but Nate Oats has the talent to adapt. This team lacks depth and experience but is full of athletes. They'll spread the floor, rely on Labaron Philon's playmaking, and utilize long-range shooting. Philon's skills as a point guard could give Purdue issues, as evidenced by his 18 points and 4 assists against Purdue last season.
Noah Williamson, a 7'0" Bucknell transfer, will set screens for Philon in the pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop. While he's not a top defender, he's skilled offensively. I see him as a skilled version of Oscar Cluff, a player I admire.
Purdue's early-season win last year was due to their efficient three-point shooting. Alabama also hit nine threes but needed more attempts. Despite lacking national hype, Alabama's athleticism could challenge Purdue's defense.
The November 13th game against Alabama will be a test for Purdue, especially against an NBA-caliber point guard. Alabama will try to bully Purdue's backcourt and force a horizontal playing style. This game will reveal the true potential of Purdue's historically good team.
I'll be in Tuscaloosa for the game if things fall into place. Let's see how Purdue handles this challenge!
