X
Skip to content

Tennessee, Alabama Best of SEC Wednesday

'Bama Basketball Has the Floor Before Football Semis

The SEC is offering some phenomenal games Wednesday night, with Tennessee at Alabama the pick of the litter.

The Volunteers come off an upset win over Arizona, while Alabama looks to right the ship after two consecutive defeats.

Tennessee Volunteers vs Alabama Crimson NCAAB Week 8 2021
SARAH STIER / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

NCAA basketball odds have Alabama as 4½-point favorites with home court advantage.

  • Game: Tennessee Volunteers (9-2) at Alabama Crimson Tide (9-3)
  • Location: Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, AL
  • Day/Time: Wednesday, 9:00 p.m. ET

Tennessee Volunteers at Alabama Crimson Tide

It’s About Defense for Tennessee

Anyone who watched the Tennessee Volunteers beat the Arizona Wildcats saw how well their defense played.

Limiting Arizona to only 73 points was one of the hallmark of their season. The Vols have allowed only 59.3 points per game, while their offense has given top-tier opposition something to worry about.

John Fulkerson led Tennessee against the Wildcats, going 8-13 from the field and ending with 24 points. The forward was dominant in the paint, and he’ll be a strike weapon against Alabama.

“I’d love to see that Fulky every day,” Fulkerson told ESPN, referring to himself in the third person. “That’s how the game goes. Just keep being aggressive.”

Coach Rick Barnes said the importance of playing his last year dawned on Fulkerson.

“(Fulkerson) came out 30 minutes before everyone else to shoot around,” Barnes said. “He was there last night when I left. He knows it’s his last year.”

Our only worry in selecting Tennessee is playing on the road, but the Vols defeated Colorado, 69-54, away from home earlier this month. That should be a good guide against a the Crimson Tide, who prefer to push the ball and play a fast-tempo game.

The Volunteers are 7-4 against the spread, including covering the number in their last three games. They haven’t been underdogs in any game so far, so it’s unusual territory.

Getting 4½ points for a quality team is a generous line with the sportsbook. We expect money to come for Tennessee on game day, so the line could be worth locking in before it moves.

Alavbama Searching for Answers

Inside the top 20 could be a short sublet Alabama Crimson the way they’ve been playing.

The Crimson Tide started 8-1 before losing to Memphis, 92-78, and Davidson, 79-78. Alabama didn’t look good when beating Jacksonville State, 65-59, so we’re unsure if betting online markets have this game framed accurately.

Though the form hasn’t been good, the Tide were much better earlier in the year, whipping eliters Gonzaga and Houston. The 91-82 win over the Bulldogs stands out, which is why bookmakers have them as favorites.

They were 10-point underdogs to beat last season’s finalists, so expectations were low. However, Alabama failed to cover a betting spread in their last four games since beating the Zags.

It’s a concerning statistic for loyal Alabama supporters and Tennessee isn’t a team that easily rolls over. This should be a tough defense game.

Starting conference play allows Alabama to reset and show its best basketball. It’s not an easy assignment, but if the likes of Jaden Shackelford (16.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg) get going, ‘Bama can hang in there.

Tennessee Too Tough

We can’t get the Arizona game out of our heads. Therefore, we’re taking the Tennessee Volunteers to score a statement win on the road.

It requires the same level of effort on defense, but the Volunteers have had plenty of time to rest and recover.

Alabama is a talented shooting team, but it hasn’t looked good since beating Houston. Recent form is a big factor in college basketball betting, and the better team at this juncture is Tennessee.

Getting 4½ points is vital, as it could come down to the final possession.

Pick: Tennessee Volunteers +4½

Did you find this article interesting?

Comments (0)

Featured College Basketball Picks

Related News