The Alabama Crimson Tide is still on the road in Austin to face off against the Texas Longhorns in a prime trap game, with Alabama potentially looking ahead at this weekend’s game against Auburn. Read more for a complete Alabama vs Texas prediction and preview.
Alabama basketball is coming off an 85-81 win over Arkansas on the road. However, the team did not finish the game well after almost letting an 18-point lead slip by. Now, after a quick turnaround, they head into the Moody Center in Austin to face an upset-hungry Texas.
Alabama is now the second-ranked team in the AP poll this week and now has a big target on its back.
“Texas is really talented. We’re gonna have to play really well. Our guys are a little banged up by the Arkansas game. We’re gonna have to be ready to go,” said head coach Nate Oats.
Game Information:
Teams: Alabama (20-3, 9-1) and Texas (15-9, 4-7)
Tip-Off: 8 p.m. CST
Watch: ESPN
Listen: Tide 100.9
Latest on Texas basketball:
The Texas Longhorns are entering year two under Rodney Terry, who was an assistant coach before becoming the Interim coach and getting the job in 2023. The Longhorns are off to a 15-9 start and have had an up-and-down start this season.
So far this season, the Longhorns’ marquee victory came in a win over rival Texas A&M 70-69 at the Moody Center. It has been up and down in Conference play, most recently losing on the road against Vanderbilt in an 86-78 loss. Highly rated freshman Tre Johnson carried the Longhorns with 15 points and senior Kadin Shedrick with 12 points.
The Longhorns have three scorers who average double-figures: Johnson, Creighton transfer Arthur Kaluma, and Oregon State transfer Jordan Pope.
Johnson is leading the team in scoring, averaging 19.0 PPG this season. Kaluma also leads the team on the glass, averaging 8.0 RPG. Indiana State transfer Julian Larry leads the team in assists, averaging 3.1 APG.
Per KenPom, the Longhorns are ranked 38th in offensive efficiency numbers and just inside the top 40 at 37th in defensive efficiency. The team is the ninth-ranked team in its conference rankings by the numbers. The team averages around 78.5 PPG and shoots 36.7% from the three-point line.
Latest on Alabama basketball:
Alabama is entering the game riding a six-game winning streak. The Tide is about to enter its most challenging stretch of games and will need to stay locked in for 40 minutes.
“We’ve got to prep for this Texas game like it’s the Auburn game. You can’t suddenly turn up your preparation for a big game,” said Oats.
Derrion Reid is questionable for the game tomorrow.
Chris Youngblood continues to get significant minutes as a starter, is getting into stride, and is up to 10.1 PPG on the season.
The Tide will have to continue to control the ball down the stretch and reduce turnovers to stay as efficient as possible.
Sears still leads the team, averaging 17.8 PPG on the season. Grant Nelson continues to be a force around the glass in the rebounding department, averaging 8.2 RPG. Sears leads the team in assists at 5.0 APG, whereas the team averages 17.0 APG.
Per KenPom, Alabama remains in the top three and third in offensive efficiency. On the defensive end, the team has an efficiency ranking of 40, Alabama is averaging 90.0 PPG while shooting 33.4% from three.
Alabama vs Texas prediction: Crimson Tide by 7
Alabama will be in a trap game before the much-anticipated game on Saturday, but I think the Tide will hit some shots late and pull away with an 85-78 win.
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