Alabama vs. Houston Prediction & Odds
Number eight Alabama heads to Houston to face the #1 Cougars at 3:00 PM ET Saturday afternoon. Can the Crimson Tide cover the 8.5-point spread as road underdogs?
Alabama is 7-1 on the year with their best wins coming over Michigan State and North Carolina. Their only loss came against UConn on November 25th. The Crimson Tide are 4-3-1 against the spread this season.
Houston is 9-0 this season with their best wins coming over Oregon and St. Mary’s. They will look to remain undefeated on Saturday. The Cougars are 7-2 against the spread this year.
Game Matchup and Betting Odds
645 Alabama Crimson Tide (+8.5) vs. 646 Houston Cougars (-8.5); O/U 136
3:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 10, 2022
Fertitta Center, Houston, TX
Alabama vs. Houston Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that the public favors the Cougars in this contest. Our public betting data illustrates that 86% of public bets are on Houston -8.5. Do note that these numbers are subject to change and could be different once tipoff rolls around, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Alabama Game Notes
The Crimson Tide’s best player is freshman forward Brandon Miller. Miller was named to the McDonald’s All-American game in 2021, was rated the #9 prospect in ESPN’s top 100 recruits, and was a consensus five-star prospect. He’s lived up to the hype this year, leading Alabama in scoring with 19.1 points per game and rebounding with 8.9 per game. He’s also found his stroke from deep as Brandon Miller is making 46.6% of his three-point attempts this year.
Alabama’s lead guard is junior Mark Sears. Sears is second on the club in scoring with 14.9 points per game, second in assists with 3.5 per game, and fourth in rebounding with 4.8 per game. He’s shooting extraordinarily well from deep this season, as he’s hitting 44% of his threes on 6.3 attempts per game. The Tide will need both Brandon Miller and Mark Sears to produce if they’re going to cover the number on Saturday.
Houston Game Notes
The Houston Cougars have a five-star freshman forward of their own in Jarace Walker. Walker is fourth on the team in scoring with 9.6 points per game and he’s tied for the team lead in rebounding with 6.9 per game. Walker has played well in spurts, but he’s only scored in double figures in 4 of Houston’s 9 games this year. He’ll need to play up to his potential if Houston is going to cover this game.
The Cougars’ star guard and best player is Marcus Sasser. Sasser leads the squad in scoring with 16.9 points per game and he’s second in steals at 1.8 per game. Marcus Sasser has taken the most field goals, three-pointers, and free throws on the team, and he’s the engine that makes the Cougars’ offense go. How he fares against an Alabama defense that ranks 27th nationally in defensive efficiency will likely determine if Houston covers the number in this contest.
Alabama vs. Houston CBB Betting Trends
Alabama is 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games following an ATS loss.
Houston is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Saturday games.
The over is 11-3 in Alabama’s last 14 road games.
The under is 18-6 in Houston’s last 24 home games.
Alabama vs. Houston CBB Prediction:
Houston might be 9-0 and leading the country in average scoring margin, but Alabama is no slouch either. The Crimson Tide are 7-1 with wins over Michigan State and North Carolina. Their only loss was to UConn, a team that’s 10-0 and ranked #5 in the country. The Crimson Tide have been doing it with defense and rebounding. Alabama is 26th in the nation in defensive efficiency, and they’re second in the country in rebound rate. I think Alabama does enough on the glass and the defensive end of the floor to keep this game tight, so I’ll take the Crimson Tide and the points.
CBB BETTING PREDICTION: ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE +8.5
