Sam Houston State vs Alabama Prediction 11/3/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Sam Houston Bearkats and the Alabama Crimson Tide meet Tuesday in college basketball action from the Coleman Coliseum. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. 

Sam Houston Bearkats vs Alabama Crimson Tide Prediction

I’m  on the over here. Alabama will get their fair share of points in this game, but we saw this issue with Bama last year, is that they’d have opponents that were clearly inferior that they’d let hang around and have trouble covering big numbers like these. Sam Houston is not winning this game, but I think the Bearkats have more than enough in the tank to help towards an over here. Give me the over.

Sam Houston Bearkats Recap

The Sam Houston Bearkats enter the 2026-27 season looking to build upon another strong campaign under head coach Chris Mudge after finishing the 2025-26 season with a 22-12 overall record and a 13-7 mark in Conference USA play. The Bearkats put together a highly competitive schedule throughout the year, securing key conference victories over Jacksonville State, FIU, Kennesaw State, Western Kentucky, Missouri State, Louisiana Tech, UTEP, and Middle Tennessee, before earning an NIT berth and facing New Mexico in the first round. Heading into this season, Sam Houston returns core continuity anchored by Justin Begg, Jacobe Coleman, Jaxson Ford, and Matt Dann. Begg paces the returning backcourt production after averaging 9.5 points and 3.6 assists per game last season, while Coleman contributed 8.7 points per contest. While navigating notable roster departures such as Po’Boigh King, Damon Nicholas Jr., and Veljko Ilic, the Bearkats have heavily bolstered their rotation through the transfer portal and junior college ranks, adding high-impact newcomers such as Aidan McDowell from Division II Western Colorado, who averaged 26.7 points per game, Yoda Oke from JUCO Fullerton, who posted 15.9 points and 7.9 rebounds, Zion Pipkin from JUCO South Plains, who averaged 13.2 points and 4.1 assists, and Enel St. Bernard from Indiana State. Blending a promising returning core with an explosive influx of new scoring talent gives Sam Houston a well-rounded foundation to contend near the top of the Conference USA standings this season.

Why the Sam Houston State Bearkats will win

• Sam Houston State has won 10 of its last 12 night games.
• Sam Houston State has won the first half in 11 of its last 13 night games.

Alabama Crimson Tide Recap

The Alabama Crimson Tide enter the 2026-27 season looking to maintain their elite competitive edge under head coach Nate Oats after putting together another stellar campaign where Alabama finished 25-10 overall and 13-5 in SEC conference play. The Crimson Tide navigated a fiercely demanding schedule, securing marquee conference victories over Oklahoma, Tennessee, Missouri, Texas A&M, Auburn, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Arkansas, LSU, and Mississippi State, before earning an NCAA tournament appearance as a 4-seed and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen following wins over Hofstra and Texas Tech before falling in a hard-fought 77-90 battle against Michigan. Heading into this season, Alabama retains a strong core group of returning production anchored by Aden Holloway, Amari Allen, London Jemison, and Keitenn Bristow. Holloway paces the returning squad after averaging an impressive 16.8 points and 3.8 assists per game last season, while Allen contributed 11.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per contest. While navigating notable roster departures such as Labaron Philon, Latrell Wrightsell, and Aiden Sherrell, the Crimson Tide have heavily reinforced their lineup through the transfer portal, adding high-impact newcomers such as Drew Fielder from Boise State, who averaged 14.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, and Brandon Garrison from Kentucky. Blending an explosive returning star backcourt with a talented influx of experienced transfer size gives Alabama a formidable, well-balanced roster primed for another deep postseason run in the SEC.

Why the Alabama Crimson Tide will win

• Alabama has won 32 of its last 34 night games against non-Conference opponents at Coleman Coliseum.
• Sam Houston State has lost each of its last six Tuesday road games against non-Conference opponents.
• Alabama has won the first half in each of its last 11 games against non-Conference opponents.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Over 171.5