USATSI Saturday brings another full slate of college basketball action, including several key nonconference matchups such as the first meeting between Alabama and Houston since the 1979-80 season. It will be a top-15 showdown as the No. 9 Crimson Tide host the No. 14 Cougars. Alabama will be riding high off its win over No. 5 Gonzaga last Saturday in Seattle, while Houston enters on the heels of three straight blowout home wins against overmatched foes. Houston hasn’t been tested quite like Alabama was against the Zags, but the Cougars do have impressive double-digit victories over Virginia, Butler and Oregon on their resume. With Alabama ranking among the nation’s highest-scoring teams at 86.4 points per game and Houston allowing just 53.4 points per contest, the game should present a compelling contrast in styles. Another key factor will be Alabama’s home-court advantage as the Crimson Tide welcome their biggest foe yet…
Continue Reading: College basketball picks, schedule: Predictions for Ohio State vs. Wisconsin and other top games Saturday
