Aden Holloway set to face Auburn again following a 'win-win' transfer to Alabama

As if Saturday’s monster showdown in Tuscaloosa, AL between No. 1 Auburn and No. 2 Alabama needed any more buildup, just say the name: Aden Holloway.

This historic matchup between the top-ranked Tigers and the Crimson Tide may already be one of the most highly-anticipated games ever between the two programs, as it marks the first AP No. 1 vs. AP No. 2 meeting in SEC history. But to add even more fuel to the fire, Holloway will suit up in the crimson and white, facing his former teammates and coaches for the first time since his departure last offseason.

Holloway, now coming off the bench for the Tide, was a five-star McDonald’s All-American and one of the nation’s best shooters straight out of high school. Ranked as 247Sports’ No. 3 point guard in the 2024 class (No. 16 nationally), he was recruited hard by Bruce Pearl and company, leading many Auburn fans to have high expectations for the true freshman ahead of the 2023-24 season.

However, it’s safe to say Holloway underperformed in his inaugural season on the Plains. Starting in 26 of the Tigers’ 35 games last year, Holloway averaged 7.3 PPG, 1.5 RPG and 2.7 APG. Struggling to find a rhythm on the offensive end, he shot 31.8% from the field, including 30.2% from beyond the arc and 77.4% from the free throw line. 

Holloway entered the transfer portal a few weeks after Auburn’s first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament and committed to Alabama in late April, joining two other portal additions for head coach Nate Oats and the Tide.

“Aden was a very popular player on our team,” Pearl said. “He's got great friends in our locker room, and I'm sure that's gonna be different playing against someone our guys had a great friendship with. I think things have worked out really well for both.”

The 6-foot-1, 180-lb sophomore is shooting at a significantly higher clip under Oats during his second year at the collegiate level, posting 11.8 PPG on 48.5 FG% and 42.1 3-PT%. Holloway averages almost 22 minutes per game, but is yet to start a game this season. In comparison, he played about 20.2 minutes per game at Auburn last year.

Following signing to Alabama, Holloway claimed that one of the main reasons he made the change was due to his “game”, saying that Oats’ offensive system fits his style of play better. This seems to ring true thus far, as Holloway is much more productive and confident with the Tide.

“Aden's playing great, his confidence is up,” Pearl said. “He's one of the most dangerous players coming off the bench in the SEC. And I'm happy for him. I'm happy he's playing with such great confidence. I'm not gonna be happy for him when he's drilling them from 35 [feet] against us. And I think things have worked out pretty well for Auburn too. I think the guys that we brought in have helped us, so I look at it as a win-win."

Current Auburn senior guard Denver Jones reflects on his relationship with Holloway, who accompanied Jones in the starting lineup for the majority of Auburn's games last season. 

“He's a brother, always will be a brother,” Jones said. “Obviously he played here, so we have some familiarity about his game. We know a little bit of how he plays; it'll be fun playing against him again.

In what will be a heated environment inside of Coleman Coliseum on Saturday, it will be interesting to see how Holloway handles the emotional aspect of the matchup. Pearl seems to understand the magnitude of this blockbuster storyline, and praises Holloway for his recent success.

"Well I mean I'm sure there's great motivation on both sides,” Pearl said. “Aden has an understanding of how we guard and how we'll try to guard him, and there's no question that he's going to want to beat Auburn, and obviously there'll be an edge. But like I said, I'm happy that he's playing well, and he's at a great spot."

No.1 Auburn and No. 2 Alabama will tip off inside a raucous Coleman Coliseum at 3 p.m. CST on Saturday. College Gameday will also be in Tuscaloosa beginning at 9 a.m. CST. Both will be televised on ESPN.