Everything to know about ESPN 'College GameDay' coming to Auburn basketball vs. Alabama

AUBURN — As if Auburn basketball's game against No. 3 Alabama on Saturday needed any more attention, ESPN's "College GameDay" will be live on air from the Neville Arena floor.

The Tigers (17-7, 7-4 SEC) enter the matchup 1-4 over their last five games, with their three most recent losses coming by a combined 11 points, including a physical battle against Texas A&M on Tuesday that came down to the final minute. Auburn's lone win in this five-game stretch came at home against Georgia on Feb. 1, a 21-point thrashing of the Bulldogs.

Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide boasts an unblemished record in conference play with the regular season winding down. Alabama has only lost one game since the new year: an uncharacteristic 93-69 defeat at Oklahoma on Jan. 28.

"Obviously, College GameDay being there will be very, very special," coach Bruce Pearl said to the Auburn Sports Network following his team's loss to the Aggies. "To beat Alabama, we've got to have the best game of the year."

Here's what you need to know about College GameDay coming to town.

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When does the show begin?

College GameDay will begin at 10 a.m. CT on ESPN, three hours before the tipoff between Auburn and Alabama. The show ends at 11 a.m. and will be immediately followed by a matchup between Kentucky and Georgia in Athens.

After the conclusion of that game, things will get going between the Tigers and the Crimson Tide on ESPN.

For those interested in going in person, all gates at Neville Arena will open at 9 a.m. A ticket to the game is required for entry.

Who hosts College GameDay?

The one-hour show is hosted by Rece Davis along with analysts Jay Bilas, LaPhonso Ellis and Seth Greenberg. Davis has been the primary host of College GameDay since 2006.

Auburn basketball's history with College GameDay

This is the third time College GameDay has come to Auburn, with the first two instances occurring in 2020 and 2022. The Tigers defeated then-No. 13 Kentucky, 75-66, on Feb. 1, 2020, and picked up a 75-58 victory over Texas A&M on Feb. 12 last year.

Auburn and Duke are the only two programs in the country that have been tabbed as hosts for College GameDay in 2020, 2022 and 2023. Due to the COVID pandemic, the festivities did not travel in the 2020-21 season as all shows were hosted from ESPN Headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut.

Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: ESPN College GameDay for Auburn basketball vs Alabama: What to know