Alabama Basketball Set to Play Liberty in 2023 C.M. Newton Classic

The Crimson Tide has lost both renditions of the annual game in Birmingham to Davidson and Gonzaga. Can it change that in 2023-24?

Austin Hannon | Jul 25, 2023

Alabama Basketball Set to Play Liberty in 2023 C.M. Newton Classic /

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Alabama Crimson Tide

The C.M. Newton Classic hasn't been fun over the last two years for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

In what is supposed to be a neutral-site game, it's really a home game for the Crimson Tide. And the last two years — Nate Oats and Alabama have fallen short at Legacy Arena. In 2021-22, it was the Davidson Wildcats — minus Stephen Curry — that entered Birmingham and knocked off the Crimson Tide. Last year, Mark Few and Gonzaga outlasted Alabama in a 100-90 shootout — highlighted by 36 points from Brandon Miller and 29 points from Drew Timme.

This year, it will be a familiar foe for the Crimson Tide. The now-CUSA's Liberty Flames will be Alabama's opponent in the annual Birmingham collision on Dec. 30. The Flames will be playing their first season in the C-USA after five years in the ASUN.

"We are thrilled to once again have the opportunity to play in Birmingham," Oats said. “After playing in the 2022 C.M. Newton Classic and the first and second rounds of March Madness in Birmingham, we have seen first-hand the overwhelming support from our fans at Legacy Arena. We are looking forward to playing a strong Liberty team this year. To be able to have this great program come to Birmingham to play us is exciting for the team and our fans. In addition to great basketball, the C.M. Newton Classic honors Coach Newton’s legacy with the program and college basketball throughout his career. We can’t wait to play in front of an energized crowd in Legacy Arena.”

The Crimson Tide is 2-0 against Liberty throughout history, with both matchups coming in the last five years. Alabama defeated the Flames 84-75 on Dec. 18, 2018 in Huntsville before blasting them 95-59 last season on Nov. 11, 2022 at Coleman Coliseum.

Head coach Ritchie McKay led Liberty to a 27-9 season in 2022-23 — advancing to the second round of the NIT before being knocked out by Wisconsin in Madison.

A time for the game has yet to be determined.

Austin Hannon joined the BamaCentral team in December 2022. He graduated from The University of Alabama with a degree in sports media and brings a ton of journalism experience. Hannon is the former sports editor of The Crimson White, the University's school newspaper. Hannon's coverage focuses primarily on Alabama football, men's basketball and baseball. Contact: cahannon01@gmail.com

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