Alabama vs. LSU Prediction: Can Alabama Take Down The Rival Tigers?

Alabama vs. LSU Prediction: Can Alabama Take Down The Rival Tigers?

SEC basketball on ESPN 2 tonight. These teams hate each other, and this is a massive game for both, so let's find out why one of them will win tonight and end their streak.

Alabama vs. LSU Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

Date: Wednesday, January 19

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET

Where to Watch: ESPN2

Click Here for Alabama vs LSU Odds

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. LSU Tigers Betting Line Movement

Alabama vs. LSU Prediction

LSU has been playing without Xavier Pinson, their point guard. He is listed as questionable, but all info says if he does play, it will not be the entire game (he is a game-time decision as of now). We have been against LSU since he was injured and easily won the last game with Arkansas as a dog and unfortunately lost against Florida when LSU did win. But it was close if you watched that game, and Florida just can't hit shots this year. That is why they are ranked 242nd in Field Goal percentage, 311th in 3-Point percentage, and 207th in Free Throw percentage. Enough about Florida. Let's get back to LSU, who is on the road tonight where they are 1-1 in SEC play—winning the Florida game and getting blown out by Auburn. Coach Will Wade said, "We turned the ball over too much, we got outrebounded, we missed some free throws, that's going to get you just about every time. We just weren't as clean as we needed to be coming down the stretch." When you are missing your point guard, that's what happens, including the 16 turnovers will get you every time.

Alabama basketball is in trouble. Forget about the football title game loss. This team hasn't won a basketball game since that title game loss, either. First, Alabama lost to Missouri as a double-digit favorite in Missouri which is unacceptable. Then, they followed that up with a good game against Auburn but couldn't pull it out and then went to Mississippi State on the road and lost another nailbiter. Three losses in a row and two tight games, this team was highly ranked after they beat #1 Gonzaga, and since then, they just haven't been the same team.

Nothing gets the blood going more than a must-win game against your hated rival at home. What has caused these losses? Shooting obviously, but more importantly, 3-point shooting. They went 7-31 versus Auburn and 8-29 against Miss St. This team needs to hit the 3-Pointers. They have three main guys shooting over 35% on the year, and these teams play contrasting styles as Alabama is built on offense #13 in the country and LSU on defense #7 in the country. We must also remember Alabama has only lost one home game, the nailbiter to Auburn, and has beaten ranked Tennessee and ranked Houston at home. Alabama is no longer ranked after their last loss. That will be motivation tonight for them to win and get back into the rankings because LSU lost and only dropped one spot, which means this game means everything to Alabama because they still have to play Baylor later this month. You don't want to be 2-4 in the SEC with four straight losses. Heck, the football team hasn't lost that many in 4 years.

Coach Nate Oates has been all over his team for their lack of rebounding as the three losses they have been outrebounded by 26 boards, and he has made that a focus in practice this week.

As we mentioned earlier, it's offense versus defense, but if Alabama is scoring points well, LSU has to keep up. They are averaging slightly over 64 points a game in their last 5, and their offensive efficiency is one of the worst in the country (happens when you are missing your point guard). Alabama is a desperate team that has lost only one time at home. They have already beaten three Top 10 teams this year and have a chance to beat a team not at 100 percent at home, laying only 3 points. We like the spot and the situation, and Bama will finish tonight and end this losing streak against a team they love to beat. It will be crazy in the Coleman Coliseum tonight, so lay the 3 and watch Bama play like they are used to and get into the mid 70's, and we will find out if LSU can keep up. (the answer is no).

Alabama vs. LSU Pick

• Alabama -3 (-115) (Bet $115 to Win $100)