top of page

No. 13 Gonzaga vs No. 11 Alabama: Preview, Matchups, and Prediction

Graham Ike of the Gonzaga Bulldogs during a college basketball game.

Players Era Men's Championship

Date: November 24, 2025

Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada

Time: 9:30 PM ET on TNT


How Do the Two Teams Match Up?


Alabama enters this matchup with a 3-1 record and is coming off an impressive win over Illinois, while Gonzaga arrives undefeated at 5-0. The Crimson Tide ranks 10th nationally in offensive efficiency according to KenPom, relying on great spacing and three-level scoring. Alabama’s perimeter shooting has powered the offense. They play at the second-fastest pace in the country, which consistently generates open threes. In their last two games against Purdue and Illinois, they connected on 13 and 16 threes. It has been a collective effort with eight players hitting at least one three in both games.


Labaron Philon Jr. has led the team, averaging 20.5 points per game and serving as a go-to scorer. Aden Holloway has also been a major bright spot, an efficient playmaker, and an active defender. Defensively, Alabama ranks fourteenth in efficiency and sits in the top twenty-five in three of the four major field goal defense categories. Taylor Bol Bowen has been a key defensive presence, recording key blocks to seal the win against Illinois.


Gonzaga has looked strong across the board. They enter this game with the ninth-ranked offensive efficiency rating according to KenPom and have dominated the paint all season. They hold a plus-152 point differential in the paint. Graham Ike and Braden Huff have driven that success. Ike is averaging 17 points and 9 rebounds, scoring most of his points inside. Huff is averaging 14.8 points and 4.8 rebounds, giving Gonzaga a reliable second option around the basket.


Gonzaga also has skilled guards. Freshman Mario Saint-Supery is shooting an impressive 63.6 percent from three. Senior guards Adam Miller and Tyon Grant Foster are both averaging double figures and providing stability in the backcourt.


Defensively, Gonzaga has been elite. They hold the second-highest defensive rating according to Haslametrics. Although Alabama plays at the second-fastest pace in the country, Gonzaga is comfortable speeding opponents up and forcing quick decisions. They mix zone and man looks. Alabama struggled when Illinois switched to zone last game, so Gonzaga should continue to incorporate zone possessions to disrupt the Tide’s rhythm.


Keys for Gonzaga to Win


  1. Continue dominating the paint. They need to play through Graham Ike and Braden Huff. Alabama has shown vulnerability in the paint, and Gonzaga is plus 152 inside this season.

  2. Control Alabama’s pace. Alabama is at its best in transition. Slowing them down and limiting early threes will be crucial.

  3. Guard production. As much as Gonzaga relies on production in the paint, Mario Saint-Supery, Adam Miller, and Tyon Grant Foster will need to capitalize on open threes, especially if Alabama commits bodies to the interior.


Keys for Alabama to Win


  1. Run. Alabama needs to play fast. Their transition offense creates layups and open threes. Half-court play favors Gonzaga because of its size advantage.

  2. Three-point shooting. If Alabama struggles from three, this game could get out of hand. They do not have the interior size to battle Gonzaga for long stretches without hitting shots.

  3. Hold up in the paint. Alabama is minus-18 in paint scoring over its last two games. They need to keep Gonzaga’s interior advantage manageable, ideally within ten points, to stay in the game.



Final Thoughts


This matchup has the ingredients to be one of the best games of the early season. Gonzaga’s paint dominance contrasts sharply with Alabama’s pace and perimeter shooting. Both teams play with energy and can make momentum-changing plays. The outcome will likely hinge on which team can take away the opponent’s primary strength. For Alabama, that means protecting the lane. For Gonzaga, that means limiting Alabama’s three-point shooting and transition opportunities.


This should be competitive from start to finish, but I am backing Gonzaga’s ability to slow Alabama down on defense, mix coverages effectively, and continue their dominance inside with Graham Ike and Braden Huff. I'm taking Gonzaga in a close one.



Explore NBA Draft Coverage


Visit the Babcock Hoops 2026 NBA Draft Big Board to see how this season’s top college talent stacks up, with rankings and full scouting reports →

Preciser
bottom of page