Who’s Playing
No. 14 Houston @ No. 9 Alabama
Current Records: Houston 8-1; Alabama 7-1
What to Know
After a three-game homestand, the #14 Houston Cougars will be on the road. They will square off against the #9 Alabama Crimson Tide at 10 p.m. ET this past Saturday at Coleman Coliseum. Both teams come into the contest bolstered by wins in their previous games.
Everything came up roses for Houston at home against the Alcorn State Braves last week as the squad secured a 77-45 win. The Cougars’ success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but guard Marcus Sasser led the charge as he shot 5-for-9 from beyond the arc and finished with 17 points and six steals. This makes it three games in a row in which Sasser has had at least three steals.
Meanwhile, Bama bagged a 91-82 victory over the Gonzaga Bulldogs two weeks ago. The Crimson Tide can attribute much of their success to guard Jaden Shackelford, who shot 6-for-8 from downtown and finished with 28 points and nine rebounds.
Houston is expected to lose this next one by 3. Those burned by picking them against the spread last Monday might want to keep in mind that the team has not yet dropped back-to-back games against the spread this season.
Houston is now 8-1 while Bama sits at 7-1. A pair of numbers to keep in mind before tip-off: The Cougars come into the game boasting the second fewest points allowed per game in college basketball at 53.4. But the Crimson Tide enter the matchup with 86.4 points per game on average, good for fifth best in college basketball. These opposing strengths should make for an exciting matchup.
How To Watch
- When: Saturday at 10 p.m. ET
- Where: Coleman Coliseum — Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- TV: ESPN2
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Ticket Cost: $12.00
Odds
The Crimson Tide are a 3-point favorite against the Cougars, according to the latest college basketball odds.
The line has drifted a bit towards the Crimson Tide, as the game opened with the Crimson Tide as a 1.5-point favorite.
Over/Under: -110
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Series History
This is the first time these teams have played each other within the last six years.
Injury Report for Alabama
- James Rojas: Out (Knee)
- Nimari Burnett: Out for the Season (Knee)
Injury Report for Houston
- Ramon Walker Jr.: Out (Hand)
- Kiyron Powell: Out for the Season (Not Injury Related)
