Despite Charles Bediako leaving the college ranks to begin his professional career and playing in the NBA’s G League, he has returned to college. Now, Nate Oats and Alabama basketball are going to play him vs. Tennessee on Saturday night after he was granted a period of eligibility.
For more information on Bediako and why he is eligible to play against the Vols, click here.
With the nation’s attention on what Bediako will do in his return to college, former Tennessee basketball player Ron Slay gave his thoughts on how he would handle it during an appearance on 104-5 The Zone’s Ramon & Will.
I refuse to think these DOGS on Rocky Top won’t answer the bell……and answering the bell isn’t always in wins/losses. Where my dogs at??!! #GoVols #ThatsAllWeKnow #MyOpinion pic.twitter.com/t0Fwq243nt
— Ron Slay (@TheRonSlay) January 23, 2026
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“If I was Felix Okpara, when we come out to warm up, I am, me, standing at halfcourt in Tuscaloosa, in their gym, and I’m waiting on Bediako to walk out,” Slay said. “And when he walks out, don’t even mind, I don’t even need to warm up, I’ve been waiting on this since this was announced on Monday, on Tuesday, whenever it was announced. I’ve been waiting on this to lay eyes on him. And I’m gonna tell him, hey man, look at what they did to get you.
“They brought you down here in front of the whole country, and in front of T-Town in Tuscaloosa, in a home game, you might not even be able to play after this, but they reached all the way in their bag and brought you, so you let them down. And you got to face me and I’m strapped and ready to roll. You got every inch in your body, it better be ready, because I get the opportunity to show these scouts what happens to a pro.
“I’m telling you coach, I know you got a system, I know you got a rotation, if you take me out coach, it’s going to be the first time you get disrespected on national television. I will not walk off that court. I’m eating him for lunch, you hear me? There ain’t no ifs, ands or buts. Man, that right there, Will, is what scares me about this Tennessee team. Because Zakai and Jahmai, they would be looking at this. Admiral Schofield and Grant, they’d be, ‘Hell yeah, put them out there.’ That’s the culture that you’re talking about that you’re used to that we’re not seeing.”
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Tip-off for Tennessee basketball’s matchup at Alabama is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. The game will air on ESPN.
The Vols sit at 12-6 (2-3 SEC) and are coming off a disappointing loss. Tennessee took a 17-point lead on Kentucky, but let it gradually slip away before the Wildcats took a late lead in Knoxville that it didn’t give up.
That was a week ago, though, with Tennessee having an open date during the midweek and extra time to prepare for the No. 17 Crimson Tide.
