Tennessee basketball is in a hostile Coleman Coliseum tonight, taking on Alabama. The biggest storyline in this game isn't Rick Barnes versus Nate Oats or how Tennessee will bounce back after a collapse versus Kentucky last week. All the talk surrounding the matchup is former NBA G-League center Charles Bediako making his return to college basketball after receiving a temporary restraining order from a Tuscaloosa County judge.
Rick Barnes blasts NCAA precedent as former pro returns for Alabama matchup
Alabama has been missing Collins Onyejiak, Davion Hannah, and Keitenn Bristow for a little bit now. The Crimson Tide is also unexpectedly down star guard Aden Holloway and forward Amari Allen, so Bediako's return couldn't have come at a better time.
Bediako started the game on the bench, but it didn't take long for him to have a highlight play.
Nate Oats dials up a baseline play for Charles Bediako
And Coleman Erupts... pic.twitter.com/dvdda9eV9x
— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) January 25, 2026
Charles Bediako entered the game and immediatly made an impact. He set a screen for Labaron Philon, cutting to the corner. Nate Ament and Amari Evans both followed Philon to the corner, which left a prime opportunity for Bediako. He slipped to the basket and delivered a dunk with authority.
Nate Oats drawing up a play that Bediako was the focal point of is extremely on brand for the Crimson Tide head coach. It was his way of telling the NCAA and every SEC fanbase that he wasn’t backing down from the decision to bring the former pro back.
Rick Barnes didn't shy away from what he thought about the situation, as he said, “When you make the choice to give up your college eligibility, you’ve given it up. Once they start that clock and they made that choice, they’ve made that choice.” Nate Oats hasn't been shy either. He said, "We are planning to play him (Bediako). He's eligible to play. We're going to follow the court orders."
If there’s an opportunity that benefits his team, he isn’t hesitant to take full advantage of it. Bediako is already making his presence felt, and Alabama appears more than comfortable leaning into the role of the conference villain.