Odds for March Madness: Alabama ATS Pick vs Charleston
The first-round matchup in the NCAA Tournament’s West Region between fourth-seeded Alabama and 13th-seeded Charleston seems like it could be a good game, but don’t kid yourself. Although the Crimson Tide (21-11) have dropped three of their last four contests, they should cruise to an easy victory in this one, making them an NCAAB best bet..
Alabama’s losses in March have come against NCAA Tournament teams Florida (twice) and Tennessee, so it has faced some tough competition. Meanwhile, Charleston (27-7) comes in on a 12-game winning streak, but all of those victories came against Colonial Athletic Association competition.

Game Information
- Game: Charleston (27-7) vs Alabama (21-11)
- Date/Time: Friday, March 22, 7:35 p.m. ET
- Location: Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, Spokane, Wash.
- Colorado State vs Texas Live Stream: TBS.com
In the only previous matchup between these teams, Charleston came out on top, defeating Alabama 82-60 in December 1993 on a neutral floor. The odds for March Madness are heavily favoring the Crimson Tide in Friday’s contest, with the Cougars getting 9½ points on a point-spread wager. The total for the over/under bet is 173½ points.
Charleston vs Alabama Odds and Spreads
Betting Trends
- Alabama is 5-1 ATS in its last six games as a favorite of 7.0 to 12½ points.
- Charleston is 3-2 as an underdog this season.
- The over is 6-0 in the Crimson Tide’s last six games following an ATS loss.
- The Cougars are 15-17-1 ATS in 2023-24.
- The over is 4-0 in Alabama’s last four Friday games.
- Alabama is 0-4 ATS in its last four contests.
- The over is 6-0 in the Cougars’ last six games when their opponent allowed 100 or more points in its previous contest.
- The over is 24-8 in Alabama’s 32 games this season.
Over/Under Pick: Over 173½
The total of 173½ points is easily the highest set for the 32 first-round games on Thursday and Friday. Despite that, our College Basketball Picks include taking the over, simply because of the Crimson Tide’s penchant for scoring and allowing a lot of points. Alabama is the top-scoring team in the country, averaging 90.8 points, but it also ranks 346th in the country, allowing 81.1 points per outing.
Over the last five games, Alabama and its opponent have averaged a total of 181.6 points, and if the Cougars are going to stay in this game, they’re going to have to be aggressive in trying to score. Charleston is not a scoring slouch either, averaging 80.5 points, so plan on this one being a quick-paced, high-scoring affair.
ATS Pick: Alabama -9½
Alabama likes to put defensive pressure on teams, forcing turnovers and turning them into easy baskets. The Crimson Tide force 11.7 miscues by their opponents per game and average 14.6 points off turnovers. Look for guards Mark Sears and Aaron Estrada to really try to cause havoc with their pressure, as they are averaging 1.7 and 1.6 steals, respectively.
Sears is the key for the Crimson Tide and their odds to win March Madness, as he ranks in the top 15 in the country with his 21.1-ppg scoring average. If Sears is on his game, Alabama can make a deep run in this tournament, especially with his ability to find open teammates. He averages 4.1 assists, just behind Estrada’s team-leading 4.6.
Team Prop Pick: First Half Over 82
These two teams are going to come out firing, looking to put their opponent away. The nerves and pressure won’t hit until the second half, so look for haymakers being thrown by each team in a very high-scoring first half.
Charleston has a trio of double-digit scorers in Reyne Smith (12.8 points), Ante Brzovic (12.3) and Ben Burnham (11.7), and all three should be getting involved in the offense in the early going, helping to push the total to the over in the first 20 minutes. Make one of your NCAAB picks on the over for the first half of this one.
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Score Prediction
Questions Of The Day
Have Charleston and Alabama faced each other before?
These two teams have only played one other time, a 22-point Charleston victory in December 1993.
Who does the winner of the Charleston vs Alabama game face next?
The winner of this contest advances to the second round of the West Region, where it will face the winner of the first-round game between Saint Mary’s and Grand Canyon on Sunday.
The odds and predictions in the article are based on the time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.