Greenville, S.C. – The Furman men's basketball team is set to reopen the newly renovated Timmons Arena on Sunday afternoon when it hosts 15^th-ranked Alabama in exhibition action.
 
The 3 p.m. contest between the Paladins and Crimson Tide, sponsored by Greenville Heritage Federal Credit Union, is sold out, but the matchup will be broadcast regionally on Nexstar affiliates and streamed live on ESPN+ with Pete Yanity and Dean Keener on the call. Fans can access links to the live stream and live statistics on the men's basketball schedule page at FurmanPaladins.com.
 
Furman, in its ninth season under the leadership of head coach Bob Richey, is coming off a 25-10 record in 2024-25, which included a trip to the SoCon Tournament finals and an at-large bid to the NIT. The Paladins return a wealth of experience, led by 6-foot-11 forwards Cooper Bowser and Charles Johnston as well as 6-foot-7 wings Tom House and Ben Vander Wal. Bowser and House earned preseason All-Southern Conference honors earlier this month at SoCon Media Day when Furman was tabbed to finish second in the conference in voting by the league's head coaches.
 
Alabama has been tabbed as one of the favorites in the SEC after going 28-9 and reaching the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament a year ago. Labaron Philon Jr. ranks as the top returnee for head coach Nate Oats, who is in his seventh season with the Crimson Tide.
 
Furman and Alabama have met three times on the hardwood with the Crimson Tide winning all three meetings. The last encounter came on December 15, 2020, in Tuscaloosa, Ala., when the Crimson Tide held off the Paladins, 83-80. Mike Bothwell paced the Paladins in the most recent meeting with 23 points and six rebounds.
 
Timmons Arena, Furman's basketball home since 1997, closed following the 2023-24 season to undergo a $40 million, donor-funded renovation project that transformed the facility into one of the premier mid-major basketball venues in the country. Timmons features a 360-degree concourse, new seating bowl, video ribbon boards, interactive hall of fame, new suite level, redesigned Herring Suite and Ingram Courtside Club, and numerous other amenities. 
 
The renovation project was led by Ken Betsch & Associates as well as Harper General Contractors. Businessman and philanthropist Ravenel B. Curry III, a 1963 Furman graduate, provided the lead gift of $10 million to spearhead the project that was also generously supported by the Timmons and Pelham families in honor of their family's original commitment to the arena in 1997. Furman partnered with Taymar and Legends to provide a first-class ticketing and game day experience as well as Bon Appetit and Athlete Advantage for innovative and unique hospitality, catering and external engagement opportunities. 
 
Behind the Spinx Student Section on the south end is a "student zone" to host student programming and events on game days. Timmons' north side includes one of the most innovative and unique areas inside any college basketball venue as Kraemer Design & Production teamed with The Children's Museum of the Upstate to create the "Furman Family Zone".  
 
Following Sunday's exhibition versus Alabama, Furman opens the regular season with a 6:30 p.m. contest against High Point in The Field of 68 Tip-Off Marathon in Rock Hill, S.C., on Monday, November 3. The Paladins' regular season home opener is set for a 7 p.m. tip-off on Friday, November 7 at Timmons Arena when Furman entertains defending Sun Belt Conference champion Troy.
 
Click here to purchase tickets to 2025-26 Furman men's basketball.
 
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