Alabama Expected to Breeze
The Alabama Crimson Tide had been waiting to see who they would place in their first game and now they know. The No. 1 seed Tide, who won three straight and seven of their last eight games, will go up against the No. 16 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders.
If you saw the college basketball news, you probably noted that the Islanders just beat Southeast Missouri State in the First Four. Can they win again or at least push for a cover?
Alabama a Top Seed for a Reason
Alabama was ranked as the No. 1 seed in their region for a reason. The Crimson Tide were 29-5, have the SEC Player of the Year in Wooden Award finalist Brandon Miller and are the No. 2 team in the KenPom.com rankings.
Those who bet online have seen Miller put up 19.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game to take this squad to new heights. When he’s out there firing on all cylinders offensively, the Crimson Tide become a very difficult team to take down.
Alabama is also lucky enough to be playing against Corpus Christi close to home. The game will take place in Birmingham, an hour from the school’s campus.
The short trip could help the Crimson Tide feel as though they are getting home-court advantage in their first postseason game here. That should give them an edge on the college basketball odds.
TICKET PUNCHED!
Louisiana beats South Alabama 71-66 to take the Sun Belt Tournament Final trophy.
Themus Fulks (@ohyeahzero) scored a career-high 23 points to lead the Ragin’ Cajuns.
Fulks is averaging 8.9 points and 6.0 assists per game. pic.twitter.com/9MihulE4R6
— The College Basketball Guy (@NCAABBallGuy) March 7, 2023
Corpus Christi has Momentum
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi has been a tough out all season long but this might be too tall an order. We just watched the Islanders beat Southeast Missouri State by four points after they took them to school on the glass. If they can control the glass again, they might have a shot.
Texas A&M CC has three players who are all averaging at least 13 points. Trevian Tennyson, Isaac Mushila and Terrion Murdix are all in that category and are expected to throw a lot of different things toward Alabama in order to give themselves the edge.
Also, pay attention to Jalen Jackson, who dropped 22 points in their win on Tuesday. The challenge is that this team is ranked No. 172 in the KenPom.com ratings. The Islanders will mostly need a miracle to make this game close in the sportsbook.
Alabama vs Texas A&M-CC Game Injuries
Alabama vs Texas A&M-CC Head-to-Head
These two teams have yet to meet up with one another this season, making this their first meeting.
Alabama vs Texas A&M-CC Information
- Game: Alabama (29-5) Texas A&M-CC (24-10)
- Location: Legacy Arena, Birmingham, AL
- Day/Time: Thursday, March 16, 2:45 p.m. ET
- Alabama vs Texas A&M-CC Live stream: TBS.com
Alabama vs Texas A&M-CC Betting Lines
Alabama vs Texas A&M-CC Pick and Prediction
Alabama is a huge favorite as they’re laying 24½ points. The question is can they cover such massive college basketball betting lines?
What we do know is that Alabama has won eight of their last nine as a neutral-site favorite of 12½ or more. However, the Tide are just 1-8 against the spread in those games.
That being the case, it feels like there’s some value with the Islanders. They’ll lose, but take the points with your college basketball picks to cover.
Alabama vs Texas A&M-CC Trends
Alabama vs Texas A&M-CC Edge
Alabama vs Texas A&M-CC Results
Alabama vs Texas A&M-CC Game Summary
