Free NCAA Hoops Pick: Gaels vs. Crimson Tide CBB Odds
Looking for Iona Gaels vs. Iona State Crimson Tide NCAA basketball free picks & CBB odds? CBB betting sees the Gaels taking on the Crimson Tide on Saturday March 20, 2021 at Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all college basketball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily basketball predictions like this Gaels Crimson Tide matchup.
2021 NCAA Basketball Handicapping
(12-5) #15 Iona Gaels vs. #2 Alabama Crimson Tide (24-6)
Date: Saturday March 20, 2021
Time: 4:00 PM ET
Venue: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
CBB Moneyline Odds: Iona +1150, Alabama -2500
CBB Betting Odds: Alabama -16.5
CBB Betting Total: 146.5
The first round of the NCAA tournament continues Saturday afternoon as the Iona Gaels grapple with the Alabama Crimson Tide in round one of the NCAA Tournament. It’ll be a battle between the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and the Southeastern Conference inside of Hinkle Fieldhouse from Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Gaels enter this game at 12-5 and were winners of the MAAC Championship while Alabama comes in at 24-6 and winners of the SEC Championship. The winner of this game will advance to take on either Connecticut/Maryland for a shot in the Sweet 16.
Iona Gaels
Rick Pitino is in his first season with Iona and will be making his 22nd trip to the NCAA Tournament. He has seven Final Four appearances and two National Titles. Iona went 12-5 straight-up this year, and they were 11-5-1 ATS, but we must note that they did not play a team from a Power Five Conference this year.
This is the 5th time in the last six years that Iona has been in the Big Dance, and they lost in the first round the other four times. Overall, they have made it to the NCAA Tournament 15 times now and have moved on to the 2nd round just twice.
The Gaels have finally figured out how to play at the defensive end of the court, and they will need to play well in this one against the high-scoring Crimson Tide. Iona was extremely tough on defense during the MAAC Tournament as they allowed just 53.8 ppg in the four games.
Alabama Crimson Tide
The Alabama Crimson Tide have had a strong season this year as they went 24-6 overall, including 16-2 in league play. They won the regular-season title and won the conference tournament after beating Mississippi State, Tennessee, and LSU. It is just the 3rd time in the last 15 years that ‘Bama will be in the Big Dance.
Alabama has a Net Ranking of 7, while KenPom has them at 8th. The Tide have won their last six games in a row, and the defense has improved down the stretch. Yes, they have allowed 79 points twice in their last six games, but they have still allowed just 65.2 ppg over that stretch. With their offense, if the Alabama defense continues to play well, they will be very tough to beat in this tournament.
CBB Betting Trends:
- Alabama is 6-0 SU in last 6
- Alabama is 4-1 ATS in last 5
- Alabama is 7-3 SU in last 10 against teams in NCAA field
- Alabama is 6-4 ATS in last 10 against teams in NCAA field
- Iona is 6-0 SU in last 6
- Iona is 5-0-1 ATS in last 6
- Iona is 1-6 ATS in their last 7 NCAA Tournament games as an underdog
- Iona is 1-6 ATS in their last 7 NCAA Tournament games
Free Iona Gaels vs. Alabama Crimson Tide NCAAB Prediction:
Iona has played well and they have improved greatly on defense. Still, they haven’t faced an offense like this year. The Tide have one of the highest-scoring teams in the nation and they have done most of that against SEC defenses.
The Gaels have gotten hot as of late but that is against MAAC teams and not against one of the best teams in the nation overall. They also haven’t faced a Power 5 team all year whereas Alabama has been tested throughout their season and boasts a solid track record. Alabama has also improved on their defense as the season has gone on and Iona will not be able to come up with enough offense to keep this one close. Take the Tide to win this one going away.
4* Free CBB Betting Pick: Alabama -16.5
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