Alabama vs Creighton Odds
| Alabama Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7.5 -110 | 165.5 -115o / -105u | +260 |
| Creighton Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7.5 -110 | 165.5 -115o / -105u | -350 |
If you looked at this game on paper a week ago, you wouldn't have expected that both Alabama and Creighton would be entering this game off of a loss. Alabama gave Purdue a serious test before falling short, but Creighton surprised everyone in a blowout loss against UNLV on Wednesday.
This should be a fun game and a get-right spot for both teams. Both offenses are near the top in the country, and if shots are falling, this could be an extremely high-scoring game.
Alabama shoots a ton of 3s, makes a ton of 3s and pushes the tempo as much as it possibly can. Creighton shoots a ton of 3s, makes a ton of 3s and will run when needed — but it prefers to play a more balanced pace.
Both teams have dreams of a Final Four run, and both programs have been two of the best in the sport over the last few seasons. This will be a marquee win opportunity for two teams that could really use a resume-booster.
Alabama Crimson Tide
The conversation for Alabama always starts with the offense. The Crimson Tide have the best offense in college basketball.
That should come as no surprise to fans that have watched Nate Oats' teams these past few years. But this year's personnel has come together even quicker than expected, with Mark Sears, Aaron Estrada and Grant Nelson all meshing together nicely.
As a team, the Tide shoot 41% from 3-point range. They attempt a whopping 46% of their shots from outside, which is 28th-most in the entire sport. If Alabama is making shots, there may not be a team in college basketball that can keep up, as evidenced by it leading Purdue for much of that game while its shots were pouring in from deep.
The defensive side of the ball is a question mark, as Alabama ranks 90th in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency. The Tide have given up 85 points or more in all three of their losses, and Creighton should be able to exploit the unit.
Creighton Bluejays
Creighton has many similarities offensively to Alabama, as it shoots 39% from 3-point range. The Bluejays take even more 3s than Alabama does, which is quite an accomplishment. Creighton shoots 51% of its shot attempts from behind the arc, which leaves it extremely prone to a cold-shooting night.
That's exactly what happened when it played UNLV. As a team, Creighton only shot 8-of-29 from deep, with many of the makes coming late in the game.
Steven Ashworth has been a problem as of late for Creighton, as the transfer guard has scored two points in back-to-back games and is not making the impact Greg McDermott had really hoped for.
If Creighton is to win this game, it'll be its defense that will make the difference. Creighton is still better offensively than it is defensively, but its defense ranks a full 70 spots higher in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency than Alabama's does.
The Bluejays need an inspired performance, and with Ryan Kalkbrenner down low, there's a good chance we'll see the best version of Creighton in this game.
Alabama vs. Creighton
Betting Pick & Prediction
While Creighton is much better defensively, it's tough to consider laying five points given its issues right now.
Ashworth hasn't been nearly as good as needed, and Sears should be ready to feast in that matchup.
Take Alabama plus the points.
Pick: Alabama +5
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