Fresh off their SEC Tournament title run, the second-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide (24-6) are huge favorites against the MAAC champion Iona Gaels (12-5) in their East Region first-round matchup at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Tide are rolling back into the big dance for the second time in four years and riding a six-game winning streak, clinching the regular season and tournament conference championships together for the first time since 1987.
- Date/Time: March 20, 4 p.m. ET
- Arena: Hinkle Fieldhouse
- TV Coverage: TBS
- Sportsbook Odds: Alabama -17 | O/U 143.5 (Line History)
- Iona vs Alabama Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The line on the side in this game has not budged off the Sportsbook number, proving that oddsmakers at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark seem to have gotten it right. However, the total is another story, jumping four points in early betting action up to 147.5. This is an intriguing move to say the least, especially considering the recent betting trends for both schools are going in the opposite direction heading into the NCAA Tournament.
Iona News & Notes
Much like their opponent, the Gaels have won six straight games, going 5-0-1 against the spread during that stretch, following a 60-51 win over the Fairfield Stags as 8-point favorites in the MAAC Tournament title game last Saturday. Of course, Fairfield was a surprise foe after going 7-11 in the conference and 10-17 overall, but you can make the same argument with regards to Alabama’s in the SEC Tournament final.
The bottom line is that Iona head coach Rick Pitino is as good as it gets in college basketball, as he is taking his fifth different school to the NCAA Tournament. Say what you want about Pitino, he knows how to motivate his players and get the most out of them. This team is further proof of that and will be making its fifth straight appearance in the big dance as well.
Alabama News & Notes
This is the best Crimson Tide team since at least 2002, which is the last time they were seeded this high. This year’s edition might be even better, but time will tell because they have never made it to a Final Four. Alabama did make it to the Elite Eight in 2004 but fell victim to the UConn Huskies on their way to the national championship.
More importantly for this matchup, though, the Tide have won their first game in the big dance in two of their last three appearances despite being a No. 9 or No. 10 seed. Alabama head coach Nate Oats may not be Pitino either, but he is more than 20 years younger and on a similar path after guiding both this squad and the Buffalo Bulls to the big dance in his first two stops.
Betting Pick: UNDER 147.5
We’re following the recent betting trends yet again rather than the early money on the OVER in this one. These are two excellent coaches who are among the best in the business, and this might be the best X’s and O’s matchup in the entire first round. While their players are capable of lighting up the scoreboard, it will not happen in this game. Bettors beware, this will be a lower-scoring affair that goes UNDER the total instead.
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Buy Sports Picks Now- The UNDER is 5-2 in Alabama’s last 7 games.
- The Gaels are 6-0 SU and 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 games.
- The Crimson Tide are 6-0 SU and 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games.
