Alabama NIL collective announces plans to schedule game vs. St. John's in Madison Square Garden

Alabama is working toward scheduling a game with St. John’s in Madison Square Garden in November, per Yeah Alabama, the university’s official NIL collective. The two programs are 2-2 all-time against each other and last met in 1982.

Shortly after Yeah Alabama’s announcement, CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported that the two are planning to meet on Nov. 8. Moreover, St. John’s is expected to visit Birmingham, Alabama, in the 2026-27 season.

The showdown on Nov. 8 should be one of the most highly anticipated non-conference matchups of the 2025-26 season. Alabama posted a 28-9 overall record last season and reached the Elite Eight for the second consecutive season.

Although Alabama is losing several stars to the NBA this offseason and took numerous hits in the transfer portal, the Crimson Tide are still expected to be in the hunt for a national championship next season. After all, Alabama didn’t sit back and wallow in self-pity after its losses.

Instead, the Crimson Tide attacked the transfer portal. They’ve picked up four players thus far this offseason, including standouts such as Jalil Bethea, Noah Williamson and Taylor Bol Bowen. Additionally, Alabama has three incoming four-star freshman.

While Alabama is expected to be in the race for the national title next season, St. John’s will likely be a frontrunner. Head coach Rick Pitino and Co. have reeled in seven players via the portal this offseason, including coveted talents like Ian Jackson and Bryce Hopkins.

To pile on, St. John’s is returning star center Zuby Ejiofor, who was instrumental in the Red Storm’s run to winning the Big East regular season title and conference tournament championship. If all goes according to plan, fans can expect an entertaining show in Madison Square Garden on Nov. 8.

Kentucky and St. John’s to face off in CBS Sports Classic

Alabama isn’t the only SEC team that will get a shot at St. John’s next season. Earlier this week, the CBS Sports Classic revealed that St. John’s will be replacing UCLA in the event and will face off against Kentucky in its inaugural appearance. There’s been no shortage of buzz around the matchup announcement.

“I gotta tell you — and I’m not just saying this because I’m a proud CBS employee — I think you could make the case that the matchup between St. John’s and Kentucky next season is the most highly-anticipated game that we are going to see during the non-conference portion of the schedule,” Jon Rothstein said. “You have two teams that are going to be in the top 11 or 12 to start the season.

“You have Rick Pitino at St. John’s going against his former team in Kentucky. And not just going against his former team in Kentucky, but going against his former captain, Mark Pope, who was a part of that ’96 team that was one of the best teams that I have seen in my lifetime.”