Alabama vs UNC Asheville Prediction 11-4-24 College Basketball Picks

The UNC Asheville Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide meet Monday in college basketball action from Coleman Coliseum. Here’s an Alabama vs UNC Asheville prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Alabama vs UNC Asheville pick.

UNC Asheville Bulldogs Betting Preview

The Bulldogs managed a pretty good run last season, going 22-12 overall with a 12-4 record in the Big South Conference. UNC Asheville finished just one spot out of the lead in the standings with that run, behind High Point at 13-3. The Bulldogs’ season ended with a loss to Longwood in the Big South Tournament championship.

This year, UNC Asheville returns two of their five starters along with head coach Mike Morrell in his seventh season at the helm. The Bulldogs get Loyola Marymount transfer Justin Wright in the mix as well, coming off 11.1 points per game with 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists last year.

Alabama Crimson Tide Betting Preview

Over on the Alabama side, they’re coming off a 25-12 run in 2023-24 with a 13-5 record in Southeastern Conference play. The Tide landed in the No. 3 spot among SEC teams, behind Tennessee and Kentucky. Alabama would eventually make it to the Final Four, where they lost to UConn 86-72.

Coming into the 2024-25 season, the Tide have a No. 2 AP ranking for seventh-year head coach Nate Oats. Alabama loses three of their five starters from last year, however they’ll be without guards Aaron Estrada (13.4 PPG) and Rylan Griffen (11.2 PPG). Center Nick Pringle is gone as well, but Rutgers transfer Clifford Omoruyi should slot right into his place.

Why the Alabama Crimson Tide will win

• Alabama has won each of its last 15 day games at Coleman Coliseum.
• Alabama has won the first half in 16 of its last 17 games against non-Conference opponents at Coleman Coliseum.

Why the North Carolina-Asheville Bulldogs will win

• North Carolina-Asheville has won eight of its last 10 day games.
• North Carolina-Asheville has won the first half in four of its last five road games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of North Carolina-Asheville’s last nine games have produced a total of 155 or fewer points.
• Twelve of Alabama’s last 13 games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 161+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Alabama ranked 1st among Division 1 teams for points per game last season (90.1).
• Alabama ranked 2nd among Division 1 teams for three-point field goals made per game last season (11.2).
• North Carolina-Asheville ranked T11th among Division 1 teams for free throws made per game last season (17.4).
• North Carolina-Asheville ranked 16th among Division 1 teams for free throw attempts per game last season (23.5).

Alabama vs UNC Asheville Prediction

I’m going to lean toward Alabama. You could make a case either way here, though. The Tide are full of high hopes this season following their improbable run to the Final Four, and they’ve got a decent chance at a deep run again. With guards like Mark Sears (21.5 PPG) and Chris Youngblood (15.3 PPG) in the mix the Tide should be lighting up the scoreboards with plenty of 3-balls. Depth-wise, Alabama is stacked top to bottom, which will help immensely as the inevitable injuries arrive. UNC Asheville has quite a bit of talent themselves and should be able to hang around for a while here but I like the Tide slightly better on a potential opener cover.