Alabama vs. Houston Prediction: Can Grant Nelson, Crimson Tide Pull Off the Upset?

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The Houston Cougars and the Alabama Crimson Tide will face off in a top-ten showdown on Tuesday Night. This matchup is expected to be one of the best games of the early season.

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Houston Cougars vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Odds

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Houston Cougars vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Date, Time and Where To Watch

• Date: November 26, 2024
• Time: 8:00 ET
• Where To Watch: TBS

Houston Cougars vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Prediction

Houston begins this contest with a record of 3-1 and Kelvin Sampson's team is ranked sixth in the nation. The Cougars have won 30 games or more in three consecutive seasons.

Houston is the definition of consistency, having reached the Big Dance in seven consecutive seasons. Once again, the Cougars are projected to be one of the best teams in college basketball

Head coach Kelvin Sampson has done an outstanding job since joining this program. From 1992 to 2017, Houston reached the Big Dance just once.

Houston is coming off a 100-44 win over Hofstra on Friday.

Junior Emmanuel Sharp leads the team with 11.8 points per game. Baylor transfer L.J. Cryer has averaged 11.3 points and 2.3 assists. Senior Ju'Wan Roberts has added 10.3 points and 5.5 rebounds.

The Cougars have averaged 84.3 points per game.

Alabama comes into the contest with a record of 4-1. The Crimson Tide begin this game ranked 9th in the nation. Over the past few seasons, Alabama has proven to be more than just a football school.

The Tide has reached the big dance in four consecutive seasons. Head coach Nate Oats has changed the culture of this program. Oats has led the Tide to four March Madness appearances in five years. Alabama reached the Big Dance just twice from 2007-2018.

The Tide's impressive win over Illinois is on their resume, but they lost their other top-25 matchup on the road against Purdue.

Grant Nelson leads the Tide with 14.2 points per game. Senior Mark Sears has averaged 13.8 points and 3.2 assists. Rutgers transfer Cliff Omoruyi has averaged 9.0 points and a team-leading 7.4 rebounds.

Alabama has averaged 89.6 points per game.

Houston Cougars vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Pick

• Pick: Alabama +5 (-125)

The Crimson Tide is getting too many points in this matchup. I anticipate a close back-and-forth matchup that favors the underdog. Alabama has one of the best offensive teams in college basketball, and while Houston is outstanding on the defensive end, the Tide will put up enough points to stay within the number tonight.

Top EV picks, complete recent performance trends and up-to-the-second betting splits. Get it all here and more with oddschecker+