March Madness Team Betting Preview: Alabama Crimson Tide
Betting Preview: Alabama Crimson Tide
- Record: 24-6 overall, 19-2 SEC Conference
- ATS: 17-12-1
- O/U: 14-16
- Points Scored/Game: 79.6 (18th overall)
- Points Allowed/Game: 69.4 (136th overall)
- Outright Odds: +2000 BettingPros Consensus
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Team Strengths
Alabama can get up and down the floor and comes lock and loaded to face off against anyone. This team fell to Western Kentucky and Stanford, but they improved as the year went on and are playing at the peak of their game. The Crimson Tide’s defense ranks second in the nation, and because they get so many looks, it is challenging to keep up.
Bama boasts a lot of depth and can tire any team not ready to keep up. Their strength of schedule means they’re ready to face off against any team, and if Alabama gets hot, they are near impossible to beat.
Team Weaknesses
Over 40% of Alabama’s points come from beyond the arc, which is the 13th highest in the nation. When they go cold, they are prone to upsets and poor offensive outings. Such cases had happened when they only scored 64 vs. Stanford, 56 vs. Clemson, and 61 vs. Oklahoma.
If a team can slow it down and control the pace, Alabama can be thrown off rhythm and can turn the ball over. Facing a bigger physical team will cause problems for their knack to grab offensive boards, but elite 3pt defense could absolutely stop this team in their tracks.
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Why They’ll Win it All
Even when Alabama’s offense struggles, their defensive efficiency can hold their weight. And considering their pace is so quick, they can still have cold streaks and recover. What helps Alabama is that they are in the same region as Michigan, which is the weakest one-seed, so the Crimson Tides path to the championship isn’t nearly as difficult as some others.
Alabama is one of my favorite teams to watch, and they only have improved this year. They started the season at +8000 but can still improve their gameplay, and Nate Oats has proven himself an incredible coach. They’re riding a six-game winning streak and just took down the SEC tournament, so momentum is on their side as well.
Why They Won’t Win it All
Alabama has shown that sometimes when they go cold, they can’t recover, despite having a top-tier defense. They have many talents but don’t exactly have a go-to guy when they need a bucket. A two-seed is rarely challenged in their first game, but Rick Patino coached Iona is a team not to be taken lightly. Not only that but focusing so much on their first-round game may lead them to slip up in the Round of 32.
While Alabama scores high numbers, their offensive efficiency is still ranked 34th in the nation, and championship teams have consistently been ranked top-20 in the past. If they have an off-day shooting, it’s hard for me to see them able to pull off a victory against one of the elite teams they are bound to run into during the tournament.
Alabama Crimson Tide March Madness Prediction
The Crimson Tide are absolutely capable of a championship run. With that being said, I think they fall to Texas in the Sweet 16 in one of the best tournament games.
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Ryan Coleman is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Ryan, check out his archive.