Alabama vs. North Carolina Betting Pick: Can Armando Bacot, Tar Heels Outscore Crimson Tide in Sweet 16?
The Alabama Crimson Tide are set to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels in what is expected to be a barn burner. Can Armando Bacot and the Heels continue their offensive success against Mark Sears and the Tide? Joey Ruiz provides his best betting pick for Alabama vs. North Carolina.
Joey Ruiz - March 28, 2024, 5:23 PM EDT
5 minAlabama vs. North Carolina Betting Pick: Can Armando Bacot, Tar Heels Outscore Crimson Tide in Sweet 16?
This should be one of the more exciting matchups of the Sweet 16. Alabama is one of the fastest teams in the country, and North Carolina has an extremely explosive offense as well. Who has the edge? Let’s break it down.
ALABAMA VS. NORTH CAROLINA DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: March 28, 2024
- Start Time: 9:39 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: CBS
ALABAMA VS. NORTH CAROLINA ODDS
- Spread: Alabama +4.5 (-110), North Carolina -4.5 (-110)
- Total Odds: O 173.5 (-110), U 173.5 (-108)
- Moneyline Odds: Alabama (+150), North Carolina (-180)
Alabama vs. North Carolina Prediction
Alabama is one of the fastest and most explosive teams in the country this season. Under Nate Oats, their style is to shoot as many threes as possible, and as early in the shot clock as possible to get as many opportunities to score. This strategy has worked extremely well for him so far, as they have looked very sharp in their first two NCAA tournament games.
In their last game against Grand Canyon, the Antelopes had them on the ropes in the second half for a bit and they actually had a lead down the stretch, but Alabama ratcheted up their defense and got a ton of stops in a row to take control of the game and ultimately won with margin. On the other side, North Carolina has yet to be really challenged as they blew out Wagner in their opening round matchup, and then made quick work of Michigan State as they went on a huge run in the second half of that game to take control and never looked back.
This North Carolina squad looks extremely sharp on both ends, as they held Michigan State to under 70 points, and have averaged 87.5 points per game on offense through both games of the tournament to this point. This North Carolina offense is about to have a field day against an Alabama team that really struggles to defend against high-level offenses.
Another thing this Alabama team really struggles with is fouling. Because Alabama plays so fast, they play a bit of a helter-skelter style of basketball, which ultimately leads to many players being out of position, and taking fouls in order to prevent easy blow-by's or layups in transition. Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram should have an absolute field day against these undersized Alabama wings, but especially Bacot.
Alabama doesn’t have a true low post threat who can handle him without fouling, and I expect a huge game from him. Overall, both of these teams have electric offenses, but only one has a defense that has stepped up in multiple games this season against top-tier opponents and that is North Carolina.
I ultimately expect North Carolina to win this game, but this game should be played at one of the fastest paces in the tournament. I expect a ton of points from both teams, and I also expect a ton of fouls, which should lead to 20+ free throw attempts from both sides. With that being said, I am rolling with the full game Over 173.5 at -106 odds for 1.5 units as one of my most confident college basketball plays of the day for tonight’s action, as I expect a very high scoring game.
Alabama vs. North Carolina Pick
Pick: Over 173.5 (-106) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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