Alabama and Auburn will play the most pivotal game in the history of their rivalry -- perhaps in any sport, football included -- in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, then they'll do it again on March 8 in Auburn. Fans who have been raised in this rivalry know that 24 hours after Valentine's Day, one of these teams will have its heart broken.

How Alabama vs. Auburn became a basketball game between national title contenders is a story no one saw coming.

Alabama leads the all-time series 102-68, but the Iron Bowl of Basketball -- what a name, huh? -- is level at 6-6 since Oats joined the rivalry in 2019. The home teams won both meetings last season.