Will Alabama play Providence, Bryan Hodgson next year? Nate Oats talks

Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats needs former assistant Bryan Hodgson to slow down on the coaching carousel if the duo hopes to keep up their annual meetings on the hardwood. Oats and Hodgson sat down with the Field of 68 at the Final Four in Indianapolis, where they discussed whether an Alabama -Providence matchup would be in the cards for the 2026-27 season. "I already got coach to agree to a home-and-home starting in Providence," Hodgson said.

Oats' eyes became saucers. REQUIRED READING: Aden Holloway suspension lifted, intends to return to Alabama basketball 'I'LL BE THERE': 'I'll be there': Nate Oats confirms Alabama basketball return amid deal talks "Listen, I still have two games against South Florida," Oats said, laughing. "He moves too fast.

I'm like, 'Bryan, we've got to get this South Florida thing finished before we move on to Providence. " According to contract details obtained by The Tuscaloosa News, Alabama's 2026 game against USF will take place Dec. 16 or 17 in Tampa.

A date for the Bulls' return trip to Tuscaloosa in 2027 was listed as "TBD. " Hodgson has taken three jobs over the last three years, getting his first head coach role at Arkansas State before moving to South Florida ahead of the 2025-26 season. After leading the Bulls to the 2026 AAC Championship for the first time in 36 years, Hodgson got the call from Providence and decided to make a move that would bring him back to his home state of New York.