The ranking matchup is unprecedented, as there have been no previous top-5 or top-10 meetings between the two programs.

Saturday's game will mark the 45th meeting between No. 1 and No. 2 in college basketball, with 27 of those occurring in the regular season.

KenPom.com has assigned the game a 'Thrill Score' of 92.9, the highest in history for a college basketball matchup.

Alabama has been impressive this season, averaging 90.5 points per game and ranking No. 1 in scoring efficiency.

Both teams come into the game with recent victories, as Auburn defeated Vanderbilt 80-68 and Alabama scored 103 points against Texas.

The rivalry has intensified, with Auburn and Alabama winning six of the last eight SEC championships between them.

Known as the Iron Bowl of Basketball, Alabama leads the all-time series against Auburn 102-68.

This matchup is positioned as potentially the best regular-season game in recent years, with significant implications for both programs.

Historically, No. 1 teams lead 23-21 in top-two matchups, with the most recent being Gonzaga's victory over UCLA on November 23, 2021.

Auburn's coach, Bruce Pearl, reflects on his previous experiences in top-two matchups and the excitement surrounding this game.

The upcoming game between Auburn and Alabama is particularly significant, as their combined history includes 5,671 games dating back to 1905.

This season, the SEC is experiencing a peak, with Alabama's coach Nate Oats emphasizing the rarity of such a high-stakes game between these in-state rivals.