The Alabama Crimson Tide have spent March Madness going on a high-scoring run through the West Regional bracket, taking down top-seeded UNC in the Sweet 16 and No. 6 Clemson in the Elite Eight to reach the program’s first Final Four. As its prize, Alabama will face off against UConn at 8:49 p.m. ET Saturday at State Farm Stadium in Arizona.
Alabama lost a few heartbreakers prior to the NCAA Tournament, including two defeats at the hands of SEC rival Florida. The Crimson Tide are a more balanced unit this season following the departure of Brandon Miller, who went No. 2 overall in the NBA draft last April. Alabama leads the nation in points per game (90.6) and is averaging the second-most made 3-pointers (11.2) this season, with guards Mark Sears, Rylan Griffen, and Jarin Stevenson leading the way. Sears hit 17 3-pointers at a 45% clip to win the MVP nod in the West Regional.
Alabama Final Four odds
Now Alabama draws defending champion UConn, and the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament has posted 10 straight double-digit victories over the past two postseasons. Alabama is a double-digit underdog ([metabet_core_dynamic_odds market=”spread-away” query=”561356″ site_id=”legalsportsreport”]) in the game and is getting odds of [metabet_core_dynamic_odds market=”moneyLine-away” query=”561356″ site_id=”legalsportsreport”] to take down UConn.
The total is relatively high ([metabet_core_dynamic_odds market=”overUnder” query=”561356″ site_id=”legalsportsreport”]) given Alabama’s ability to score from the perimeter, which could negate UConn’s elite interior defense, led by 7-foot-2 center Donovan Clingan. Sears has lines of [metabet_core_dynamic_odds market=”bkc/ncaab_game_player_3_pointers_made/561356″ query=”ncaab/mark_sears/player_175786″ site_id=”legalsportsreport”] 3-pointers and [metabet_core_dynamic_odds market=”bkc/ncaab_game_player_points/561356″ query=”ncaab/mark_sears/player_175786″ site_id=”legalsportsreport”] points in this matchup, in states that allow college player props.
[metabet_core_game_tile query=”561356″ size=”100%x250″ site_id=”legalsportsreport”]
Alabama national championship odds
If the Tide can get past UConn, they would draw either Purdue or NC State in the national championship game on Monday night. Purdue is led by 7-foot-4 center Zach Edey, the reigning Naismith Player of the Year and a leading contender to win the award again.
NC State is on a Cinderella run that began with an unlikely series of victories in the ACC Tournament to make the Big Dance. The Wolfpack took down No. 2 Marquette and dispatched ACC rival Duke to become the sixth No. 11 seed to make the Final Four. Center DJ Burns and guard DJ Horne have been the top players for NC State this postseason.
Alabama and NC State are tied for the longest odds among Final Four teams to win the title. Purdue is trailing UConn, which has short odds to repeat as the champion.
Alabama’s odds to win the National Championship: [metabet_core_dynamic_odds market=”bkc/ncaab_winner” query=”bkc/alabama” site_id=”legalsportsreport”]
Alabama player props vs. UConn
Sears is the favorite to lead this game in scoring since UConn usually implements a balanced approach on offense. Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer have the highest scoring lines for the Huskies.
After handing out five dimes in the Elite Eight, senior Aaron Estrada has a line of 4.5 assists for Alabama. Estrada is also a top rebounder, and he will have to be strong on the glass along with forward Nick Pringle in a matchup against UConn’s sizable wings.
[metabet_core_side_odds_tile query=”ncaab/mark_sears/player_175786″ size=”350×300″ site_id=”legalsportsreport”]
[metabet_core_side_odds_tile query=”ncaab/nick_pringle/player_175231″ size=”350×300″ site_id=”legalsportsreport”]
Alabama vs. UConn betting preview
Illinois came into its Elite Eight matchup with UConn averaging 83 points per game and endured a 30-0 run by the Huskies, finishing with just 52 points in a blowout loss. Bettors may be wary to back any team against UConn despite Alabama’s impressive scoring run in the West Regional.
Alabama managed to get past UNC’s sizable frontcourt in an 89-87 win, but it allowed 22 offensive rebounds to the Tar Heels. Limiting turnovers will likely be key for Alabama against UConn’s rangy defense. The Tide averaged 11.9 turnovers per game this season and have committed at least 10 turnovers in each tournament game. It may take a barrage of 3-pointers and good ball security from Alabama for the Tide to cover a sizable spread.
