Round 2 – Crimson Tide vs Blue Jays CBB Handicapping Prediction
The #9 vs. #8 match up in the Midwest Region between Creighton and Alabama is a good one with a couple of teams with contrasting styles and the winner will likely have the unenviable task of taking on North Carolina in the round of 32.
Venue/ Stadium: Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
Time/Date: 1:40 PM EST Friday, March 16, 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): Alabama -1.5
Over/Under: 132.5
Alabama (9) vs Creighton (8) Preview
NCAAB Lines have Alabama as slight 1.5-point favorites in this game with a total of 132.5.
In their last games of the season Creighton beat Illinois State 83-79 in TO while Alabama lost to Florida 66-63.
This season Creighton is 15-14 ATS with an O/U record of 15-12-2 and Alabama is 13-15 ATS with an O/U record of 15-13.
Creighton ended the season on a 7-game winning streak including winning the Missouri Valley Conference tourney, but they did not face one ranked team this season while Alabama played a much tougher schedule playing in the SEC.
This match up pits Creighton and their offense, which ranks 7th in the nation in scoring and 1st in the nation in team FG% facing Alabama and their defense, which ranks 9th in the nation in opponents’ points allowed.
The Alabama defense has one main goal in this game and that is try to contain Creighton All American F Doug McDermott (23.2 ppg 8.2 rpg), who nearly shot 50% from behind the 3-point arc. How he goes the Bluejays go and if Bama and their solid D can keep him from having a big game and if they can do that the Tide will be in good shape. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Since The Tide will key on McDermott Antoine Young (12.5 ppg) and Gregory Echenique (9.8 ppg) will have to help him out in the scoring department.
The Tide are led by F JaMychal Green (14 ppg 7.4 rpg), who leads the team in scoring and rebounding. He and F Tony Mitchell (13.1 ppg 7 rpg) give Alabama a legit frontcourt tandem that can score and rebound. However, the guards for the Tide may be more key in this game. Creighton plays an up-tempo game and if Alabama can slow the pace of the game and make it a half court contest they should come out on top.
In some betting trends for this Midwest Region 2nd round match up Alabama is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games, 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record, and they have an Under record of 5-1 in their last 6 games as a favorite.
Creighton is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall, 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record, and they have an Over record of 6-2 in their last 8 games.
Jason’s Pick: Creighton has the All American, but Alabama has the defense and they are a more athletic team. I think Bama will dictate the pace of this game and win and cover advancing to the round of 32.
