**Alabama and Auburn are tipping off their rivalry early — way early.** - **Alabama MBB** will face Auburn in a preseason exhibition in Birmingham, the first matchup of its kind in over 40 years - **Iron Bowl of Basketball** is scheduled for October, giving Tide fans an early look at this year's squad - **Alabama football** has a connection to a Little League World Series star making waves this summer - **North Alabama and Samford** are set to open their seasons in Huntsville in a local showdown worth watching - **Birmingham** gets the spotlight as the neutral-site host for the rare early Crimson Tide-Tigers basketball clash **Watch for**: exhibition game details — date, venue, and whether Nate Oats uses it to audition new rotations. The lineup's set. Drop in.