Alabama vs. Houston Odds, Picks, Predictions: Can Crimson Tide Challenge Top-Ranked Cougars?
No. 1 Houston is set to host No. 8 Alabama in a marquee matchup during Saturday’s loaded college basketball slate. Read on for our Alabama-Houston college basketball pick based on the top odds.
The Cougars (9-0) are undefeated and appear to be the best team in the nation entering this matchup with the Crimson Tide.
Meanwhile, Alabama (7-1) has won back-to-back games - including a 103-101 win over North Carolina in four overtimes - since falling to Connecticut on Nov. 25. Can the Crimson Tide challenge the Cougars in the lone battle between top-10 teams on Saturday?
Here is our top college basketball pick for Saturday’s matchup between Alabama and Houston (odds via BetMGM; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Check out our college basketball best bets.
Alabama vs. Houston Game Info
Date: Saturday, Dec. 10, 3 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Location: Fertitta Center, Houston, TX
Alabama vs. Houston Odds
Alabama vs. Houston Odds Analysis
Houston opened as a 9-point favorite. Bettors immediately hit the underdog, forcing the line to drop, and it has since settled at 7.5 to 8.5 across most sportsbooks. DraftKings Sportsbook offers the best price for the favorite with a 7.5-point spread.
The total has seen much more movement, and it's now sitting at 137.5 or 138 after opening as low as 130.5. Belief in the underdog would lead to belief in the Over, as Alabama has cleared the total in five of eight games this season. Houston has had just two of its nine games finish Over the point total.
Alabama vs. Houston Pick
Alabama +8.5 ★★★★
I jumped on the Over right away. The line has since moved five points, and though the Over might still have slight value, I prefer to make the case for the underdog instead.
After all, Alabama needs to turn up the pace and offense in this game to have a chance. The Crimson Tide rank 42nd in adjusted tempo while the Cougars are 355th, according to KenPom. To say these teams have contrasting styles would be an understatement. But styles make fights, right?
Opposing teams are shooting 22.9% from long range against Houston, which ranks third in the country. Kelvin Sampson’s squad is an elite defensive unit, but that prolific mark screams regression.
It just so happens that the Crimson Tide rank 20th in high-frequency 3-point shooting (47.1%), according to ShotQuality. They will space the floor, run up and down it, and fire up 3-pointers with no fear against the top-ranked team in the sport.
Alabama won this game last year, 83-82 at home. The Cougars might very well avenge last year’s defeat, but we just need the Crimson Tide to stay within striking distance to cover this near three-possession spread.
Alabama vs. Houston Best Odds
BetMGM (-115)
| DraftKings | FanDuel | Caesars | BetMGM |
| +7.5 (-110) | +8.5 (-118) | +8 (-110) | +8.5 (-115) |
Line shopping is crucial for those wishing to bet on this marquee matchup. The spread is as low as 7.5 at DraftKings, which is not our preference since we are betting on the underdog.
BetMGM and FanDuel Sportsbook are the lone sportsbooks still hanging an 8.5-point spread, though both lines are a bit juiced at the time of this writing. BetMGM is more favorable by a few cents at -115, and worth it to get the hook rather than taking the 8-point spread at Caesars Sportsbook.
To help support our decision, Unabated’s line calculator confirmed that the juiced 8.5 is the better line.
Where to Bet on Alabama-Houston Picks
Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:
Alabama-Houston picks made 12/10/2022 at 10:29 a.m. ET.
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