The Alabama Crimson Tide and the UConn Huskies meet Saturday in NCAA Tournament Final Four college basketball action from University of Phoenix Stadium. Here’s a Tennessee vs Purdue prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game. We will examine:
- The Alabama Crimson Tide recent form and player performance
- The UConn Huskies recent form and player performance
- Recent betting trends and streaks involving Alabama
- Recent betting trends and streaks involving UConn
- Recent betting trends in games played between Alabama and UConn
- A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Alabama vs UConn game
Alabama Crimson Tide Betting Preview
The Tide had a couple of rough patches during their campaign this year. In December, Alabama went just 2-5 at one point, and would later hit a 2-3 stretch to close the regular season. In the conference tournament, the Tide were bounced quickly by Florida 102-88, but since then they’ve beaten Charleston, Grand Canyon, North Carolina and Clemson in the NCAA Tournament.
In their latest matchup versus Clemson last Saturday, the Crimson Tide came out of halftime with 35-32 edge. Alabama was able to hold off the Tigers on a 54-50 run from there and ultimately took the win 89-82. Mark Sears was the team’s leading scorer on his 23 points, three rebounds and two assists in 38 minutes of work.
UConn Huskies Betting Preview
Over on the UConn side, they’ve been a highly formidable team all season and got through their campaign without losing consecutive games. In the conference tournament the Huskies plowed through Xavier, St. John’s and Marquette. In the national tourney UConn has continued their run with victories versus Stetson, Northwestern, San Diego State and Illinois.
Matched up against the Fighting Illini last Saturday, the Huskies took a five-point lead into the locker room. UConn hit the gas in the second half with a 49-29 run and won easily 77-52. Donovan Clingan was the leading team scorer in the victory with 22 points and 10 rebounds alongside three steals.
Connecticut Huskies Team Facts
- Connecticut has won each of its last 17 games played at neutral venues.
- Each of Connecticut’s last 19 NCAA Tournament games have produced a total of 157 or fewer points.
- Connecticut has won the first half in each of its last 16 games played at neutral venues.
Alabama Crimson Tide Team Facts
- Alabama has won each of its last six games against non-Conference opponents.
- Ten of Alabama’s last 11 night games have produced a total of 161+ points.
- Alabama has lost the first half in each of its last four night games against AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
Matchup/League Facts
- Connecticut ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for offensive rating this season (123.7).
- Connecticut ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for defensive rating this season (97.5).
- Alabama ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for points per game this season (90.8).
- Alabama ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for offensive rating this season (123.3).
Alabama vs UConn Prediction
I’ll stay with UConn. The line is thick enough that you could make a case either way, though. The Huskies started out a bit timidly against a surging Illinois team in their last outing, but ended up finishing in a flurry. UConn shot 51.7 percent from the field with a 45-36 rebounding edge in the win and held the Illini to just 25.4 percent shooting. The Huskies weren’t perfect, though. The 17.6 percent (3-of-17) from 3-point range and 70.6 percent (12-of-17) from the line could certainly be better. Still, UConn is on a great run these days with 73 or more points in 11 straight games (all wins).
As for Alabama they played pretty well overall versus Clemson in their last appearance but could also have been better stats-wise. The Tide shot 46.8 percent from the field with 44 rebounds and 20 assists. The 15-of-22 (68.2 percent) from the line and 13 turnovers didn’t help matters, though. Alabama entered the NCAA Tournament on a 2-4 stretch, giving up 81 or more points in every one of those six games. UConn should have plenty of room to score in this one, and I don’t think the Tide will quite keep the pace. The winner of this tilt will face Purdue or NC State in the Championship game.