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Alabama at Houston: 2022-23 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

By Tristan Freeman

Nov 14, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars guard Marcus Sasser (0) saves a loose ball during the second half against the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars guard Marcus Sasser (0) saves a loose ball during the second half against the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s a battle of two top-10 teams with Alabama traveling to take on Houston. Will the No. 1 Cougars finally stumble on Saturday?

TV schedule: Saturday, December 10th, 3:00 pm ET. ABC

Arena: Fertitta Center in Houston, Texas

There’s been a ton of chaos in the first month of the season, with just 10 unbeaten programs left in the country. One of them is Houston (9-0), who is the undisputed No. 1 team after preseason No. 1, North Carolina, fell all the way out of the top-25 altogether.

The Cougars have looked every bit of the best team in the country, including the No. 1 scoring defense at 47.3 ppg. They’ve yet to allow more than 56 points in a game yet, including 42 in this week’s 34-point victory over North Florida. Ja’Vier Francis led all scorers with 14 points off the bench, while Marcus Sasser, who scored his 1000th career point in the win, had 12 in just eight minutes after suffering a cut on his face. He’s reportedly fine and should be good to go for this weekend.

Houston’s best opponents to this point have been Oregon and Saint Mary’s, with neither a lock to get an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Their next foe is a near-lock in Alabama (7-1), who is currently ranked 8th in the country. Their early resume includes wins over Michigan State and North Carolina in the PK85 Invitational.

The Crimson Tide is one of the best offenses in the country, led by freshman Brandon Miller (19.1 ppg and 8.9 rpg). The 6’9 forward has been in double figures in every game, including 16 points and nine boards in the team’s 78-65 win over South Dakota State. Ohio transfer Mark Sears is the team’s other double-digit scorer at 14.9 ppg and 3.5 apg, with seven other players between 5.8-8.6 ppg.

Next. Ranking the final 10 unbeaten teams. dark

It’s the battle of strengths, where Alabama’s defense will go up against Houston’s defense. The Cougars’s scoring has been a little spotty, while the Tide is prone to allowing points. This one will ultimately come down to who gets their respective pace pushed more. Even with Sasser assumingly at 100%, I’m going to follow the theme of chaos this season and predict the No. 1 team going down.

Prediction: Alabama 73, Houston 72

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