Auburn, Alabama set for Birmingham exhibition

College basketball programs are building toward the season through exhibition games and conference previews. Auburn is set to meet Alabama in a Birmingham exhibition, part of a slate that gives the rivals multiple possible matchups this season; Auburn is coming off a preseason loss to Florida State, while Alabama has won its first two exhibitions. Broader previews highlight a deep SEC, with Florida viewed as a national contender and several teams—including Texas, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Arkansas—drawing questions about roster strength and fit. Kansas, Kansas State and Wichita State are also in focus, with attention on whether Kansas can outperform lowered preseason expectations and Wichita State can contend as the American Athletic Conference favorite.