No. 2 Alabama Looks to Stay Hot Against Struggling Texas
Alabama is on fire right now, and they have no plans of cooling off anytime soon. The Crimson Tide (20-3, 9-1 SEC) have been dominant, winning six straight games and 14 of their last 15. Next up? A showdown with a slumping Texas team (15-9, 4-7 SEC) that is desperate for a season-defining win.
Alabama’s Rise to the Top
Saturday was a big day for Alabama. The Tide took down Arkansas 85-81, while No. 1 Auburn and No. 2 Duke both lost, pushing Alabama up to No. 2 in the latest AP poll.
But head coach Nate Oats isn’t worried about rankings.
“I don’t really care to be honest with you,” Oats said. “We just have to take care of business. We’ve got full control of our own destiny in the SEC.”
With a massive matchup against No. 1 Auburn looming this Saturday, Alabama has to stay focused and avoid looking too far ahead.
Texas Searching for Answers
Things have been tough for Texas lately. The Longhorns have lost three of their last four, including back-to-back defeats against Arkansas (78-70) and Vanderbilt (86-78). Texas started the season 11-2, but SEC play has been brutal. The Longhorns have struggled against ranked teams, suffering losses to Texas A&M, Auburn, and Tennessee.
![Texas Longhorns vs Alabama Crimson Tide Picks and Predictions February 11th 2025 2 image 127](https://www.scoresandstats.com/app/uploads/2025/02/image-127-1024x576.png)
Key Players to Watch
- Tre Johnson (Texas) – The Longhorns’ leading scorer (19.0 PPG) had 15 against Vanderbilt but will need a monster night to keep Texas in the game.
- Grant Nelson & Chris Youngblood (Alabama) – Both dropped 15 points against Arkansas and have been key to Alabama’s high-powered offense.
- Tramon Mark (Texas) – Mark (9.1 PPG) missed the Vanderbilt game due to a shoulder injury, and his status remains unclear.
Alabama’s Offensive Firepower
Alabama leads the SEC in scoring, averaging 91.3 points per game during their six-game winning streak. However, they almost let a huge lead slip away against Arkansas, something Oats wasn’t happy about. With a massive test against Auburn just days away, Alabama must stay locked in to avoid a trap game against Texas.
What’s at Stake?
- For Alabama: A seventh straight win and a chance to set up a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown with Auburn.
- For Texas: A season-saving victory that could help get them back on the NCAA Tournament radar.
Prediction
Texas is talented, but Alabama is too hot right now. Unless Texas puts together their best game of the season, Alabama should keep rolling and set up a huge clash with Auburn this weekend.