Duke vs Alabama Prediction 3/29/25 College Basketball Picks Today

In this article, we will formulate a Duke vs Alabama prediction for this College Basketball game on Saturday, March 29, at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this game in the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament. The winner of this game will meet Houston or Tennessee in the Final Four.

Alabama Crimson Tide Betting Preview

The Alabama Crimson Tide (28-8, 21-15 ATS) didn’t play well late in the regular season but still earned the No. 3 seed for the SEC Tournament. The Crimson Tide destroyed Kentucky in the quarterfinals but had no chance against Florida, the eventual winner, in the semifinals. Alabama defeated Robert Morris and St. Mary’s in the opening two rounds in the NCAA Tournament and then dismantled BYU 113-88 in the Sweet 16. Alabama broke a 35-year-old March Madness record by scoring 25 threes.

Alabama is averaging 91.4 PPG (1st) and is allowing 81.2 PPG (356th). The Crimson Tide are getting 42.7 RPG (2nd) and dishing out 17.3 APG (15th). Mark Sears is the team’s top performer with 19.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 5.1 APG. Aden Holloway has 11.6 PPG and  2.0 APG, while Grant Nelson contributes 11.5 PPG, a team-high 7.6 RPG, and a team-high 1.2 BPG.

Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview

The Duke Blue Devils (34-3, 24-13 ATS) are still one of the hottest teams in basketball and are currently on a 14-game winning streak. The Blue Devils won the ACC title without much trouble and without Cooper Flagg; only North Carolina was close in the conference semifinals when Duke won 74-71. At the NCAA tournament, Duke destroyed Mount St. Mary’s and Baylor in the first two rounds and then reached a 100-point mark in a 100-93 victory over Arizona.

Duke averages 83.6 PPG (13th) and allows 62.5 PPG (7th). The Blue Devils are 50th in rebounds (38.3) and 22nd in assists (17.0). Cooper Flagg leads the team with 19.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 1.3 BPG. Kon Knueppel follows him with 14.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, and 1.0 SPG, while Tyrese Proctor chips in 12.4 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 2.3 APG.

Why Alabama will beat Duke

• Alabama has won 11 of its last 12 games against non-conference opponents.

Why Duke will beat Alabama

• Duke has won each of its last 10 night games.
• Alabama has lost five of its last six games against Top 5 AP-ranked opponents.
• Alabama has lost the first half in each of its last five games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.

Total Points Facts

• Forty-seven of Duke’s last 49 games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 167 or fewer points.
• Six of Alabama’s last seven games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 179+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Duke ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for defensive rating this season (92.9).
• Duke ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for net rating this season (+33.5).
• Alabama ranks 364th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (68.4).
• Alabama ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for pace this season (75.4).

Duke vs Alabama Prediction

These teams have met only once before, and it was back in 2013 when Duke won 74-64. Duke is a better team and will likely progress to the Final Four, but I think Alabama can cause the Blue Devils problems with its high-octane offense. The best offense in basketball meets a top-10 defense, so it’s going to be interesting. I don’t expect Alabama to hit 25 three-pointers again, but undoubtedly, the Tide will rely on the perimeter shooting to stay close to Duke. Cooper Flag vs Mark Sears – enjoy the spectacle. Duke has hit the Team Total Over in 21 of its last 39 games. Alabama has hit the Game Total Over in 22 of its last 39 games, while the Crimson Tide have hit the Team Total Over in 24 of their previous 39 games. Go with Over.