Alabama men’s basketball will help ring in the renovated Furman basketball arena.
The Paladin will host the Crimson Tide in an exhibition game at the newly renovated Timmons Arena on Saturday, Oct. 26. Furman’s women’s basketball team will mark its debut on the fresh court on Sunday, Nov. 23, vs. Clemson.
Advertisement
Furman will host Alabama during its homecoming week and will mark the inaugural game in the $40 million donor-funded arena. According to a press release from Furman, the renovated arena has many new features including: “a 360-degree concourse, a pair of ribbon boards, private and party suites, plus two premium club spaces in the Ingram Courtside Club and the Herring VIP Suite, plus the Rogues Hospitality Deck.”
REQUIRED READING: Broken backboards, 40-pieces and Philly fuel: What Jalil Bethea brings to Alabama basketball
“We are honored to open the reimagined Timmons Arena with two incredible games against nationally renowned college basketball programs,” Furman’s vice president for intercollegiate athletics Jason Donnelly said. “We are grateful to Alabama and Clemson for joining us to celebrate this historic occasion for our men’s and women’s basketball programs and for our university. The game days will be electric, and we look forward to experiencing the Paladin spirit and recognizing the generosity of the donors who made this possible.”
Alabama finished with a 28-9 record last season and reached the Elite Eight for the second straight season. The Crimson Tide reached the Final Four for the first time in school history in 2023, losing to eventual national champion UConn.
Advertisement
“There is a lot of anticipation around the reopening of Timmons Arena, and the opportunity to play a national power like Alabama certainly brings a lot (of) excitement to the table,” Paladins head coach Bob Richey said. “We want fans and the city of Greenville to enjoy a first-class experience at Timmons Arena while helping us create one of the best homecourt advantages in the country. You don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to see two great teams compete at a high level, in a brand-new arena, so get your tickets now!”
Furman’s men’s basketball posted a 25-10 record and reached the finals of the Southern Conference Men’s Basketball Championship. The Paladins received an at-large bid to the NIT, where they lost in the first round to North Texas.
Clemson’s women’s basketball team went 14-17 in the first season under former Furman assistant coach Shawn Poppie. The Paladins finished the 2023-24 season with a 16-16 mark under the second-year coaching of Pierre Curtis.
“I’m thrilled our players get to be part of a moment like this — competing against Clemson in front of our home crowd in the new Timmons Arena is something they’ll never forget,” Curtis said. “This game is about more than just basketball — it’s a celebration of how far we’ve come and the people who’ve helped us get here. From our loyal fans and students to our alumni and generous donors, this moment belongs to all of us. We can’t wait to feel that energy and make it a night full of pride and Paladin spirit.”
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama men’s basketball to play exhibition game vs Furman on Oct. 26
