The Paladins will be opening the new Timmons Arena with a big time exhibition matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Furman will play host to a Crimson Tide team ranked in the preseason polls, in the midst of its most successful run in program history. Under head coach Nate Oats, Alabama reached its first final four in 2024.
The Paladins are 0-2 all-time against the Crimson Tide, though this one won’t count for anything other than development. Furman lost in Tuscaloosa by just 3 points in December 2020, to a team that finished fifth in the nation and won both the SEC regular season and tournament championships.
Furman hosted Auburn for last year’s exhibition and will test their talent against another top SEC squad this year. The Tide will likely have a large visiting contingent, so Furman fans will want to be there early and be loud.