Alabama basketball’s upcoming stretch of games could be even more challenging for one of its key players.

Friday marked the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a period that calls for participants to refrain from eating food and drinking from dawn until sunset. That will once again require sophomore forward Mo Dioubate to balance fasting during the most demanding part of the basketball season.

“Amanda [Branson’s] our nutritionist, so it mainly affects him in that way because he can’t eat until sundown,” Alabama head coach said when asked about Dioubate on Friday. “She’s been trying to get him gradually worked into having meals between sundown and sunup.”

This is nothing new for Alabama and Dioubate. During his freshman season, the forward played in six games during Ramadan. The highlight of that period came during the second round of the NCAA Tournament when he played a pivotal role in Alabama’s 72-61 win over Grand Canyon University.

Dioubate saw the court for 13 minutes against GCU, recording 9 points, five rebounds and a pair of blocks. He also logged 19 minutes during the tournament opener against the College of Charleston, recording 6 points and four boards. Still, his limited role on the team saw him average just 8.16 minutes per game during Ramadan last year.

That likely won’t be the case this year, as Dioubate has been one of the driving forces for No. 6 Alabama. The sophomore is averaging 15.3 minutes per game this season and has eclipsed the 20-minute mark in two of his last four appearances.

Just like last year, Branson and Alabama’s training staff will help Dioubate as much as they can. During last year’s tournament run, the staff kept track of sundown, providing the forward with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and applesauce on the bench as soon as it was appropriate for him to eat.

Saturday’s game at No. 5 Tennessee is set to tip off at 4 p.m. local time. Sunset in Knoxville is scheduled for 6:31 p.m., meaning Dioubate will most likely need to wait until after the game to eat or drink.

“He’s going to have to get a good meal before the sun comes up,” Oats said. “I told Amanda, don’t wake me up when you wake up Mo. He’ll be up before the rest of us to make sure he’s eating.”

This year’s Ramadan begins Friday evening and will last until March 29. Alabama will have three regular-season games during that span, as well as an appearance in the SEC tournament. The NCAA tournament will be held from March 18 to April 5.

While the next month might be difficult for Dioubate to navigate, the forward said last year that he doesn’t see it as a burden. Instead, he hopes his efforts will inspire fellow Muslims worldwide while bringing people closer to God.

“It’s a blessing to do it,” Dioubate said last year. “Not everyone can do it. Me being able to do this is a blessing. It’s a spiritual blessing for us Muslims all around the world. I take it as a blessing.”