The Players Era Festival is going to see how Alabama basketball handles a handful of firsts on Wednesday.
Former Rutgers big man Clifford Omoruyi will meet ex-coach Steve Pikiell and company for the first time since transferring to the No. 9 Crimson Tide (5-1) in May, set to play in Alabama's second matchup of its Thanksgiving tournament in Las Vegas.
Alabama freshmen are due to encounter their first roster featuring a similarly deep crew of rookies this season.
The most underrated factor heading into the NIL million-fueled face-off, coach Nate Oats and Alabama are preparing for their first opponent coming off of a wild upset from none other than a former UA staffer and basketball alum .
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Alabama tackled its inaugural overtime period of the season against No. 7 Houston (3-2), winning 85-80 with the help of a first-ever double-double performance by sophomore Mouhamed Dioubate.
Here are three things to know for Alabama's contest against Rutgers (5-1) at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Alabama's sought-after 6-foot-11 rim protector with a 7-6 wingspan has the chance to crack the code for the Crimson Tide against Rutgers, where Omoruyi spent the first four seasons of his college career.
In his time at Rutgers, Omoruyi scored 1,251 points, ranking fourth all-time in program history in shooting percentage (54.9%) and rebounds (933). His 221 blocks, highlighted by 93 in 2024 for the most by a Big 10 player since 2018, rank sixth all-time.
At Alabama, Omoruyi's averages include 9.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and two blocks per game. However, if anyone knows how to key in on the five, it'll be Pikiell and his staff.
Alabama isn't the only team bringing a top-ranked 2024 recruiting class to the floor. UA enrollees Labaron Philon, Derrion Reid , Aiden Sherrell and redshirt Naas Cunningham made up the No. 2 recruiting class in the nation per 247Sports, while Rutgers' additions of McDonald's All-Americans Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey , alongside Bryce Dortch, Lathan Sommerville and Dylan Grant support a returning staff of three for the Scarlet Knights.
Harper, a point guard, scored over 20 points against Wagner, St. Peter's and Monmouth, becoming the first Rutgers freshman to do so since 1972.
The 247Sports composite ranked Rutgers' highest-rated group of newcomers in program history at No. 4 in the country.
Still getting their feet wet, the freshmen of Rutgers found themselves overwhelmed early in Sunday's game at Kennesaw State , coached by former Alabama staffer and player Antoine Pettway.
While they attempted a late comeback, outscoring the Owls, 51-35, in the second period, Kennesaw State held on for a 79-77 win. During Monday media availability before Alabama kicked off the Players Era Festival, Oats said he believed that was the program's first-ever win over a top 25 team.
The unexpected defeat snapped Rutgers' unbeaten streak, which also included a 74-63 win over Merrimack last Wednesday.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Will Rutgers shut down big Cliff Omoruyi against Alabama basketball?
