The Barclays Center Classic is back in action today with No.25-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide playing the No. 14-ranked Minnesota Gophers. The Gophers and Tide were both victorious on Friday versus BYU and UMass and will be the headline battle in Brooklyn. ‘Bama opened as a slight +3.5-point dog versus Minnesota.
Alabama is expected to make some noise this year thanks to freshmen Collin Sexton. The sharpshooter was a McDonalds All-American in his senior season in high school and will look to cause problems for the Gophers perimeter defenders. Sexton and company will look to bring the Tide’s basketball program back to prominence and return back to the NCAA tourney for the first time since 2012.
Minnesota handled the UMass Minutemen with ease as junior Jordan Murphy paced the Gophers with 16 points and nine rebounds. They opened as 3.5-point favorites but their lack of size may be the difference in this matchup. The Tide has 11 players who are 6’5’ or taller and could give the Gophers some serious trouble on the boards. Both of these teams are undefeated to start the season and will be a perfect litmus test for where their program stands in the national conversation.
Alabama Crimson Tide vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Minnesota Golden Gophers sport a record of 6-0 and 4-1 ATS heading into this betting matchup, while the Alabama Crimson Tide have 5-0 and 3-1 ATS marks on the season. The OVER/UNDER records are 4-1 for the Minnesota Golden Gophers and 1-3 for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
The power rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the Minnesota Golden Gophers rated this week at No. 50 and the Alabama Crimson Tide sitting at No. 49.
Statistical Matchup
Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and Minnesota has the nation's No. 18-rated offensive output, at 91 PPG. The visiting Alabama Crimson Tide defense ranks No. 96 allowing on average 67.2 PPG. The Golden Gophers FG% has averaged 51.01% so far, less than the Minnesota Crimson Tide marksmen have achieved on the year, 54.04% per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Alabama got 16 points from John Petty en route to a 71-59 victory over BYU on Friday at Barclays Center.
Minnesota earned a 69-51 victory over UMass on Friday, getting 16 points from Jordan Murphy at Barclays Center.
Next Betting Matchups
Alabama home to Louisiana Tech, Wednesday, November 29th
Minnesota at Miami, Wednesday, November 29th