Alabama (20-3) at Texas (15-9)
- When: Feb 11 2025, 9:00 PM
- Where: Moody Center, Austin, TX, USA
- Where to watch: ESPN
Game Preview
A high-powered Alabama squad heads to Austin on Tuesday night to take on a Texas team desperate for a signature win. The Crimson Tide are riding a six-game winning streak, while the Longhorns have struggled in conference play, dropping three of their last four. With Alabama eyeing a massive showdown against Auburn this weekend, they must avoid looking ahead and handle business against a Texas team fighting to stay relevant in the SEC race.
Alabama Crimson Tide
The Crimson Tide (20-3, 9-1 SEC) have been on fire, winning 14 of their last 15 games and surging to No. 2 in the AP Poll. They kept the momentum rolling with an 85-81 victory over Arkansas on Saturday, a win that became even more significant after No. 1 Auburn and No. 2 Duke both lost that same day.
While some might be focused on Alabama potentially taking over the No. 1 ranking, head coach Nate Oats isn’t interested in the hype, instead keeping his team locked in on the task at hand.
“I don’t really care, to be honest with you. We control our own destiny in the SEC, and that’s what matters,” Oats said after the Arkansas win. “Let’s focus on Texas.”
Alabama’s offense has been relentless, averaging 91.3 points per game during their current winning streak. Grant Nelson and Chris Youngblood each scored 15 points in the victory over Arkansas, helping the Tide build an 18-point second-half lead before things got uncomfortably close late.
Oats acknowledged that the team needs to close out games better, but with Alabama rolling on offense and shooting at a high clip from deep, they have the firepower to overwhelm Texas if the Longhorns can’t keep pace.
Texas Longhorns
The Longhorns (15-9, 4-7 SEC) have hit a rough patch, losing three of their last four games, including back-to-back setbacks against Arkansas and Vanderbilt. Texas held a 10-point second-half lead against Vanderbilt before completely unraveling down the stretch in an 86-78 loss.
Head coach Rodney Terry emphasized the difficulty of the SEC schedule, noting that every night is a challenge.
“A lot of teams lose two in a row in this league,” Terry said. “You have to have a short memory and prepare for the next game.”
Texas started the season strong at 11-2, but SEC play has exposed their weaknesses, particularly against top-tier competition. Losses to Texas A&M, Auburn, and Tennessee showed their struggles against elite teams, and they have yet to prove they can hang with the SEC’s best.
The Longhorns were without Tramon Mark (shoulder) against Vanderbilt, and his status remains uncertain for Tuesday. Leading scorer Tre Johnson (19.0 PPG) had a quiet night with 15 points, and Texas failed to capitalize on multiple scoring opportunities late.
One of the biggest concerns for Texas is closing out games, as they’ve struggled to maintain leads and execute in crunch time. If they can’t contain Alabama’s high-tempo attack, they could be in trouble once again.
Betting Prediction & Props
Spread Lean: Alabama -4.5 – The Crimson Tide’s offense is too explosive, and Texas has not proven they can handle elite SEC opponents.
Total Play: Over 165.5 – Alabama’s offense is firing on all cylinders, and Texas has shown defensive lapses.
Prop Bets to Watch:
Grant Nelson Over 14.5 Points – He’s been consistent and should have plenty of scoring chances.
Tre Johnson Over 18.5 Points – Texas’ leading scorer needs a big night to keep this one close.
Alabama Team Total Over 85.5 Points – The Tide are averaging 91.3 PPG during their winning streak.
Alabama’s offensive firepower should be the difference-maker here, as Texas struggles to keep up in a high-scoring contest. With the Crimson Tide’s defense applying pressure late, expect Alabama to pull away and cover the spread in Austin.
- NCAAB Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
