The high-scoring Alabama Crimson Tide get the opportunity to flex their shooting muscles in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against the College of Charleston Cougars. The West Region’s 4 vs 13 matchup takes places March 22 at 7:35 PM ET.
This game could be a track meet, and is going to end up with one of the highest pregame game totals in tournament history. Find out how to bet on this game, and the best ways to maximize your bankroll with top offers from across the sports betting landscape.
No. 13 Charleston vs. No. 4 Alabama Odds
Odds current as of Mar. 21 and can be found at bet365 Sportsbook.
- Spread: Charleston +9.5 (-110) • Alabama -9.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Charleston (+375) • Alabama (-500)
- Total: Over 173.5 (-110) • Under 173.5 (-110)
If the game total holds at 173.5 points, it will be the highest Over/Under since 1995.
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Charleston vs. Alabama Prediction
It takes a special talent to be top 10 in scoring and bottom 10 in points allowed. Your 2023-24 Alabama Crimson Tide have achieved this, which is good and bad news for long-term success in the tournament.
What is good for the Tide is that Charleston likes this type of game, but is severely outmatched. The Cougars could match their 80.5 points per game season average because of Bama’s poor defense, but the kitties may allow 100 points in the process.
Both teams prefer to perform on the offensive side of the court, but if Charleston has any intention of keeping this game under a double-digit lead, it will need to excel on the offensive boards. They ranked 46th in offensive rebound rate, and Alabama has been more than willing to allow teams to get second-chance scoring opportunities.
Charleston is going to have to do something that they did not do well during the regular season – create turnovers. Anything short of trying to disrupt the fast-paced Tide offense will lead to a blowout by halftime.
Charleston vs. Alabama Best Bet
Under 173.5 Points at bet365 Sportsbook (-110)
I like that both teams can score, but this number has jumped 5.5 points since sportsbooks opened lines for this game. It is realistic that the total middles 173.5 and 168, the opening number.
Both teams love to shoot the 3, which is good and bad. More variance in scoring leads to more variance in total points. What is also good is that the public does not have a lean one way or the other, so this isn’t a situation where fading the public is the smartest thing to do.
This is going to be one of the more exciting games after Friday’s “dinner break.”
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