We have your Alabama Crimson Tide vs. North Carolina Tar Heels prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Alabama Crimson Tide hit the road to face the North Carolina Tar Heels.
The Alabama Crimson Tide (23-11) are set to face off against the North Carolina Tar Heels (29-7) in a highly anticipated Sweet 16 showdown. With both teams on a 2-game winning streak, this matchup promises to be a battle of offensive prowess as they vie for a spot in the Elite Eight.
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Odds Info
Moneyline: Alabama Crimson Tide +170 (Ceasars) / North Carolina Tar Heels -184 (FanDuel)
Spread: -4.5 – Alabama Crimson Tide -118 (FanDuel) / North Carolina Tar Heels -104 (FanDuel)
Total: 173.5 – -110 (BetMGM) / -110 (BetMGM)
Game Info
Date: Thursday, Mar. 28
Time: 08:39 PM
Location: Crypto.com Arena – Los Angeles, CA
TV: CBS
Alabama Crimson Tide Betting Trends
- On the road, Alabama Crimson Tide are 5 and 5 this season.
- Against the spread this season, Alabama Crimson Tide are 17 and 14.
- Against the spread on the road, Alabama Crimson Tide are 5 and 8.
North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Trends
- At home, North Carolina Tar Heels are 14 and 1 this season.
- Against the spread this season, North Carolina Tar Heels are 19 and 15.
- Against the spread at home, North Carolina Tar Heels are 9 and 9.
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Predictions
The Sweet 16 stage is set for a high-octane clash as the Alabama Crimson Tide, boasting the nation’s second-highest scoring offense, take on the North Carolina Tar Heels, who are not far behind with the ninth-highest points tally. Alabama’s offense, led by guard Mark Sears averaging 21.5 points per game, has been a force to reckon with, complemented by Aaron Estrada’s all-around contributions. The Crimson Tide’s rapid playstyle and 3-point shooting, ranking fourth in made threes, will test any defense.
North Carolina, on the other hand, has been riding on the performances of RJ Davis and the inside presence of Armando Bacot, who’s been a double-double machine. The Tar Heels’ balanced attack has seen them excel in both scoring and rebounding, ranking 26th in points and 21st in rebounds per game. Their ability to draw fouls and capitalize on free throws, where they rank eighth in made attempts, could be a deciding factor in a game that’s expected to feature plenty of trips to the line.
Defensively, both teams have had their struggles, but North Carolina has shown the ability to lock down when it matters, ranking 70th in points allowed compared to Alabama’s 345th. The key matchup will likely be in the paint, where Bacot’s prowess on the boards for UNC will challenge Alabama’s interior defense. As both teams look to push the pace, the battle of transition defense and offensive efficiency will be pivotal in determining who advances to the next round.
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Pick
The Sweet 16 matchup between Alabama and North Carolina is poised to be a high-scoring affair, making the ‘Over’ a compelling pick. Alabama’s offense, which is second in the nation in scoring, has consistently pushed games over the total line, with a 24-8 record on overs this season. Their fast-paced play and proficiency from beyond the arc suggest they can keep up the scoring momentum. North Carolina’s ability to draw fouls and succeed at the free-throw line adds to the potential for a high point total, especially considering Alabama’s tendency to commit fouls. With both teams having potent offenses and less-than-stellar defensive records, particularly Alabama’s 345th rank in points allowed, the stage is set for an offensive showcase.
Historically, the head-to-head matchup has seen a split with high-scoring games, including a quadruple-overtime thriller last season. While past performances are not always indicative of future results, the current form and style of play of both teams align with a continuation of this trend. The Tar Heels’ balanced scoring and the Crimson Tide’s explosive offense are likely to exploit each other’s defensive vulnerabilities. Given the stakes of the Sweet 16 and the offensive firepower on display, betting on the ‘Over’ for this matchup is justified by both teams’ recent trends and the potential for a repeat of their last high-scoring encounter.
The Pick: Over 173.5 -110 (BetMGM)
