St. Francis PA vs Alabama State Odds, First Four Prediction and March Madness Picks March 18

Mark Pukalo

· Mar 17 - 4 minutes read

Bet on Alabama State to cover the 3.5-point spread.
Bet on CJ Hines to score 16+ points.
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St. Francis PA vs Alabama State March Madness Odds

St. Francis PA

St. Francis Red Flash

Alabama State

Alabama State Hornets

+142

Money Line Game

-165

+3½ -110

Point Spread Game

-3½ -110

Over 140 -110

Total Game

Under 140 -110

Place your Bets on St. Francis PA vs Alabama State at BetUS Sportsbook!

St. Francis PA vs Alabama State Odds, First Four Prediction and March Madness Picks March 18 — Tyler Stewart #22 of the St. Francis Red Flash | Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images/AFP

The Alabama State Hornets are a solid bet to cover the college basketball betting line when they take on St. Francis PA in the NCAA First Four at Dayton on Tuesday.

The Hornets have won six straight and 10 of 11 after beating Jackson State 60-56 in the SWAC Championship Game. Alabama State is 0-4 in NCAA Tournament games and is returning for the first time since losing to UTSA in the 2011 First Four.

St. Francis has also won six in a row after upsetting top seed Central Connecticut in the NEC title game 46-43 but is +100000 in the odds to win March Madness. The Red Flash lost to Arizona in its only NCAA tournament game in 1991.

St. Francis PA vs Alabama State Prediction Today March 18

My Prediction

Alabama State 72, St. Francs (Pa) 60

The Hornets are on a big-time roll, so we expect them to sting this opponent and advance to play Auburn – one of the favorites in March Madness odds. CJ Hines, Amarr Knox and coach Tony Madlock’s son TJ lead a balanced offense that averages almost nine 3-pointers per game.

St. Francis PA vs Alabama State Betting Picks

My top picks

My analysis

The Hornets avenged an earlier loss to Jackson State in the SWAC final despite making just 33,8 percent from the field and getting outrebounded. They are a resilient bunch after starting the season 9-14.

CJ Hines averaged 16.7 points on the way to the SWAC tournament MVP, and he will have plenty of help from fellow seniors Knox and Madlock. It is our NCAAB expert pick that the Hornets just have too much athleticism for the Red Flash overall.

#𝟑 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟑 🔥

CJ Hines is your 2025 SWAC Men’s Basketball Tournament @BuickUSA Most Valuable Player! He finished the game 8-15 FG% and 4-6 3P% 🔥 #SWACMBB | #BuildingChampionsForLife pic.twitter.com/6JB9pOEf2Y

— Southwestern Athletic Conference (@theswac) March 16, 2025

However, the under is 20-12-1 in Alabama State games and it should control the tempo. Check late NCAA basketball news for any injury updates.

St. Francis PA vs Alabama State March Madness Best Prop Bet

TJ Madlock 9+ Rebounds in Hornets Win (+192)

TJ Madlock is a pretty consistent scorer, but he has been a beast on the boards with 40 total in his last four college basketball games.

The 6-3 senior has averaged at least 11 points in his four collegiate seasons – the first at South Carolina State – and 12.6 in 2024-25. Madlock grabbed 12 rebounds versus Jackson State last week and we expect him to be your best NCAA basketball player prop today – scoring or rebounding.