After a thrilling dash to the National Championship Game last year, only to be outdone by UConn, the San Diego State Aztecs (24-10, 11-7 MWC) are eyeing another epic tournament journey. Jaedon LeDee, now a standout star with his knack for slicing to the hoop and magnetizing fouls, has been a game-changer.
With a defense that practically asphyxiates opponents, ranking among the top 10 for its iron grip and dragging adversaries through agonizingly long possessions, SDSU has mastered the art of denying three-pointers, limiting second chances, and pilfering possession after possession.
Their formidable path includes a top-10 ranking for the toughness of their nonconference slate and a stellar 4-1 record on neutral courts, with a clean sweep of 3-0 in out-of-conference showdowns, including a decisive victory over Saint Mary’s.
The UAB Blazers (23-11, 12-6 AAC), fresh off their surprising victories over South Florida and Temple in the conference tournament finale, have again punched their ticket to the NCAA tournament. Their path to a potential tournament upset lies in their potent offense.
Excelling in offensive rebounding, where they rank among the top 25, the Blazers have a knack for capitalizing on second-chance opportunities. Andy Kennedy’s team, benefiting from a deep roster, shines at the free-throw line, turning over 23 percent of their points from free throws alone.
With a combination of high shot volume and a dash of shooting luck, UAB, riding a wave of momentum, might just pull off the unexpected.
However, their defense poses a significant challenge to their tournament aspirations. Positioned outside the top 200 in defensive efficiency, UAB’s struggles include a lack of turnovers, poor perimeter defense, and subpar defensive rebounding performance.
Overcoming these hurdles requires facing off against teams with weaker offenses, setting the stage for UAB to defy expectations once more.
No. 12 UAB vs No. 5 San Diego State Odds & Details
- Date: Friday, March 22, 2024
- Time: 1:45 p.m. ET
- Watch: TNT
- Location: Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena; Spokane, WA
- Spread: UAB +7.0 (-112), San Diego State -7.0 (-108)
- Moneyline: UAB (+225), San Diego State (-278)
- Total: Over/Under 139 (-112/-108)
UAB vs SDSU Betting Preview
San Diego State is back in the spotlight, hungry for redemption after last year’s near-miss at glory. Armed with their signature fortress-like defense, they’re set to clash with the UAB Blazers, the surprise juggernauts of the AAC Tournament who toppled league titan South Florida en route to their championship crown.
This showdown is shaping up to be a chess match of intriguing strategies. The Aztecs, known for their tight perimeter guard, dare opponents to launch from deep, only to smother them into a paltry 30.5% success rate from beyond the arc – a defensive prowess ranking them among the nation’s elite.
The Blazers, on the other hand, rarely lean on the three-point shot, focusing instead on penetrating defenses and capitalizing from the charity stripe, an area where San Diego State’s aggressive defense tends to falter.
Expect a tactical, grind-it-out affair where each possession feels like a battle, likely making this matchup one of the first round’s most grit-and-grind spectacles. Despite the potential for a less-than-fluid game, the strategic interplay between San Diego State’s impenetrable defense and UAB’s relentless drive to the hoop promises some unexpected fireworks.
Betting enthusiasts take note: this game’s got the makings of a high-scoring affair that could defy the odds and entertain beyond expectations. SDSU will cover and win comfortably.
PREDICTION: SDSU wins 79-66
BET: SDSU -7 (-108)
BET: Over 139 (-112)
DraftKings March Madness Sign-Up Offer
Kick off your DraftKings Sportsbook adventure with a fabulous welcome: Stake $5 and unlock $250 in bonus bets. Dive into the action by following these steps:
- 🚀 Hit up any link here to step into DraftKings.
- 📝 Register, filling out your name, address, and email.
- 💰 Make a minimum deposit of $5 into your account.
- 🖐 Wager an initial bet of $5 or upwards.
- 🎁 Score 10 bonus bets, each valued at $25.
- 🚫 Note: Bonus bets can’t be directly exchanged for cash.
- ⌛ Act fast! Your bonus bets disappear after 7 days if not used.
