The NIT championship trophy will be hoisted by either Alabama or Wichita State Thursday at Madison Square Garden after those teams advanced to the final.
The Shockers destroyed Washington State in one semi final, while Alabama edged Colorado 62-61 in a dramatic finish where they failed to cover the spread.
Alabama will try to use its defensive intensity and patient offense - the same tactics that thwarted high-scoring Colorado - in the final against Wichita State. Either way, one of the teams that felt most snubbed by Madness exclusion will play for the NIT final at MSG.
Betting Line:
Bettors looking to back visiting Wichita State before tip-off in this one will find them as 1.5-point underdogs. The line is moving toward PK, which culd mean the eventual best dog line resides at Sportsbook, where the 100% bonus offer expires shortly!
Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Power Rankings at Odds Shark show No. 22-rated Wichita State taking on the No. 66-rated Crimson Tide in this contest. The scores prediction computer here indicates a possible 76-73 win for the Shockers on Thursday.
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Alabama's No. 226 nationally ranked offense (67.1 points per game) against a Shockers defense that sits as the No. 29 at 61.8 PPG. The Crimson Tide have been averaging 45.2% from the field, less than the Shockers have managed so far this season (46.8% on average).
Defensively, Wichita State features the nation's No. 19-rated defense on the road, allowing 63.1 points per game. Alabama, meanwhile, comes in at No. 257 nationally in scoring at home.
Wichita State won its last outing, a 75-44 result against Washington State on March 29. They covered in that game as a 3-point favorite.
Alabama won its last outing, a 62-61 result against Colorado on March 29. They failed to cover in that game as a 2.5-point favorite.
Wichita State Shockers Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 5-2
After a win are 6-4
Alabama Crimson Tide Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 4-3
After a win are 7-3
A few Shockers at Crimson Tide trends to consider:
Alabama is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Alabama is 16-7-1 ATS in its last 24 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Alabama's last 6 games
