The wait is over.

We are one day away from the biggest Iron Bowl of basketball in recent years.

In the first No. 1 vs No. 2 matchup in SEC history, Auburn looks to stay undefeated in conference road games entering Coleman coliseum Saturday.

Here’s a closer look at the Crimson Tide ahead of the biggest game in the state:

The season so far

Alabama currently holds a 21-3 overall record, with a 10-1 mark in conference play, tying Auburn.

Its biggest out of conference wins this year came against Illinois and Houston. In SEC play, Alabama’s best wins were against Texas A&M, Kentucky and Arkansas.

The Crimson Tide dropped two early games to Oregon and Purdue. Its only SEC loss was at home against Ole Miss.

“Alabama had a great postseason run last year, but this year’s team is much better than last year’s Final Four team, and everyone that has played them understands that,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said Thursday.

Alabama currently sits sixth in KenPom’s efficiency rankings.

Players to watch

Mark Sears is Alabama’s leading scorer averaging 17.8 points and a team high 4.9 assists.

He’s one of four players who averages double figures. Grant Nelson averages 12.7 points shooting 54.5% from the floor. His 8.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks are also a team high.

Aden Holloway, an Auburn transfer, averages 11.8 points shooting 48.5% from the floor. His 42.1% from beyond the arc compared to his 31.8% during his time at Auburn has impressed his former coach.

“Aden’s playing great, his confidence is up. He’s one of the most dangerous players coming off the bench in the SEC. And I’m happy for him,” Pearl said.

Freshman guard Labaron Philon decommitted from Auburn before signing with Alabama. In the Crimson Tide’s last win at Texas, Philon finished with 15 points shooting 60% from the floor.

Philon’s 10.4 points per game has him possibly going first round in the 2025 NBA draft.

“It will be different in both cases because we were the first to offer Labaron when he was younger, thought he was going to be a great player. We had a great relationship. We offered him a scholarship,” Pearl said. “I think for a while he accepted a scholarship. Decommitted. But, left on good terms. Happy for him doing really well.”

Forwards Jarin Stevenson, Clifford Omoruyi and Derrion Reid will also play a key role in the Alabama frontcourt.

Keys to the game

Have to win in the trenches

Alabama ranks third in the country averaging 44.2 rebounds a game. Auburn has struggled with rebounding against conference opponents throughout the season.

Johni Broome leads Auburn averaging 10.7 rebounds. However, the presence of Dylan Cardwell and Chaney Johnson will be key in leading in that category.

Score the basketball efficiently

The Crimson Tide averages 90.5 points a game, leading the nation. As a team, Alabama is shooting 48.4% from the floor and averages 10.3 made 3-pointers a game.

In Auburn’s first conference loss to Florida, the Tigers shot 42.9% from the floor and only hit seven shots from the beyond the arc. Despite only losing by just nine points, Auburn will have to make shots in order to defeat Alabama.

“There’s a reason why they were preseason No. 1, anywhere between one and four. They’ve absolutely lived up to it,” Pearl said. “We know that going there, we’re going to have to have our best game of the year, our best effort of the year.”

Auburn’s matchup with Alabama will tipoff at 3 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN.

Jerry Humphrey III covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @Jerryhump3 or email him at [email protected].