The first ever No. 1 vs No. 2 matchup in SEC history will take place in the state of Alabama.

After both Auburn and Alabama walked away with road victories Tuesday night, the stage is set for one of the biggest Iron Bowl of basketball matchups of all-time.

Auburn has been ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll for five straight weeks. Monday, Alabama jumped Auburn for the No. 1 spot in the coaches’ poll.

“We’ll see Saturday who’s the best team in the country I guess,” Alabama coach Nate Oats said after beating Texas. “Do we think we’re the best team in the country? I think we’ve got a chance to be. Auburn’s the best team in the country right now. We’ve got to knock them out on Saturday if we want to claim to be the best team in the country.”

Auburn’s 80-68 over Vanderbilt put it 6-0 in SEC road contest. Saturday’s game in Coleman Coliseum will be no different from any other raucous environment the Tigers has played in this season.

However, Auburn dropped its first conference game to Florida last weekend, now tying with Alabama at a 10-1 conference record.

“If we’re going to continue to win, our defense is going to have to carry us and lead the way. I think we got away from that,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said after defeating Vanderbilt. “I’m going to do the best job I can to get us back to that because, obviously, Alabama is a phenomenal offensive team.”

Saturday’s winner will not only take the No.1s spot in the conference but will be crowned the best team in country.

At the moment.

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].