Top 25 College Basketball Saturday: Bama-TAMU, Top Matchups, Picks, And Analysis
Top 25 College Basketball Saturday: Bama-TAMU, Top Matchups, Picks, And Analysis
College basketball's top 25 teams will be in action on Saturday, with some of the nation's best programs set to face off in a handful of marquee matchups. Alabama and Texas A&M will tip off the day's action at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN, followed by No. 1 Purdue at No. 24 Maryland at 2 p.m. ET on CBS. The nightcap features No. 3 Houston at No. 19 Memphis at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Alabama vs. Texas A&M
Alabama enters Saturday's game with an impressive 19-3 record, including a 9-0 mark in SEC play. The Crimson Tide are led by a trio of talented guards in Jahvon Quinerly, Jaden Shackelford, and Keon Ellis. Quinerly is averaging 15.0 points and 4.7 assists per game, while Shackelford is averaging 14.0 points per game and Ellis is averaging 12.8 points per game.
Texas A&M is also 19-3 this season, but the Aggies have struggled in SEC play with a 7-2 record. Texas A&M is led by a pair of talented forwards in Henry Coleman III and Wade Taylor IV. Coleman is averaging 13.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, while Taylor is averaging 12.5 points and 5.0 assists per game.
Alabama is a 6.5-point favorite over Texas A&M on Saturday. The Crimson Tide have been one of the most impressive teams in the country this season, and they should be too much for the Aggies to handle.
No. 1 Purdue vs. No. 24 Maryland
No. 1 Purdue will face its toughest test of the season to date when it travels to College Park to take on No. 24 Maryland on Saturday. The Boilermakers are 22-1 this season, with their only loss coming to Rutgers on Jan. 2. Purdue is led by a pair of All-Americans in Zach Edey and Jaden Ivey. Edey is averaging 15.0 points and 13.0 rebounds per game, while Ivey is averaging 17.0 points and 4.0 assists per game.
Maryland is 18-5 this season, with a 9-3 record in Big Ten play. The Terrapins are led by a trio of talented guards in Eric Ayala, Fatts Russell, and Hakim Hart. Ayala is averaging 15.0 points and 4.0 assists per game, while Russell is averaging 12.0 points and 4.0 assists per game and Hart is averaging 11.0 points per game.
Purdue is a 7.5-point favorite over Maryland on Saturday. The Boilermakers are the more talented team and have been playing better basketball as of late. However, Maryland is a tough team to beat at home, so this game could be close.
No. 3 Houston vs. No. 19 Memphis
No. 3 Houston will face its toughest test of the season to date when it travels to Memphis to take on No. 19 Memphis on Saturday. The Cougars are 22-2 this season, with their only losses coming to Alabama and Cincinnati. Houston is led by a trio of talented guards in Marcus Sasser, Jamal Shead, and Tramon Mark. Sasser is averaging 16.0 points and 3.0 assists per game, while Shead is averaging 12.0 points and 4.0 assists per game and Mark is averaging 11.0 points per game.
Memphis is 18-6 this season, with a 9-2 record in AAC play. The Tigers are led by a pair of talented forwards in Jalen Duren and DeAndre Williams. Duren is averaging 12.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, while Williams is averaging 11.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.
Houston is a 4.5-point favorite over Memphis on Saturday. The Cougars are the more talented team and have been playing better basketball as of late. However, Memphis is a tough team to beat at home, so this game could be close.
Conclusion
Saturday's college basketball slate is full of intriguing matchups, with some of the nation's best teams set to face off. Alabama, Purdue, and Houston are all favored in their respective games, but Texas A&M, Maryland, and Memphis are all capable of pulling off upsets. Be sure to tune in to ESPN and CBS on Saturday to catch all the action.