No. 1 Houston stunned at home by No. 8 Alabama, paving the way for a new No. 1 | Zagsblog
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Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
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Saturday / December 14.
  • No. 1 Houston stunned at home by No. 8 Alabama, paving the way for a new No. 1

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    By ADAM ZAGORIA

    Houston, you have a problem.

    In the first-ever AP Top 10 matchup on its home court, the No. 1-ranked Cougars were stunned by No. 8 Alabama, 71-55, on Saturday afternoon.

    It was Alabama’s second win over the No. 1 team this season after they beat North Carolina, 103-101 in overtime, Nov. 27 at the PK Invitational.

    “Huge program win,” Tide coach Nate Oats told reporters. “Not sure how many teams get the chance to play two No. 1 teams in non-conference play, let alone beat them.”

    With Kelvin Sampson’s group falling from the ranks of the unbeaten — and No. 2 Texas losing to No. 17 Illinois in the Jimmy V Classic on Thursday — there will be a new No. 1 on Monday.

    No. 3 Virginia (8-0) is one team in position to be the new No. 1, as are No. 4 Purdue (10-0) and No. 5 UConn (11-0). North Carolina started the season at No. 1 but was replaced by Houston, when the No. 2 Cougars moved up in the Nov. 28 poll. The Tar Heels had lost four straight before beating Georgia Tech, 75-59, Saturday.

    Ironically, No. 1 Houston visits No. 3 Virginia Dec. 17.

    Alabama outscored Houston 44-34 in the second half and got 14 from Noah Clowney, who put the Tide up 65-63 with 1:17 remaining. Jaden Bradley added 12 and Mark SEars 11.

    Jamal Shead led Houston with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists, including a vicious dunk in the first half.

    It marked the second straight year Alabama beat Houston following an 83-82 home win a year ago.

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    Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.

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