The No. 20 Alabama Crimson Tide (10-3, 1-0 SEC) and Florida Gators (9-3, 0-0) tangle Wednesday night in Gainesville, Fla. The SEC bout at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center is slated to tip off at 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Alabama vs. Florida odds and lines and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Alabama last played Dec. 29, earning a hard-fought 73-68 over then-No. 15 Tennessee. The Tide was a plus-8 on the boards while holding the Volunteers to a 34.9% mark from the field. UA plays a fast-tempo game: it ranks last in the SEC in points allowed (72.9 per game) but second in scoring (82.2).
The Gators are coming off a postponed date and haven’t played since Dec. 22. They dropped back-to-back games in early December but are 3-1 since. Strong perimeter defense has helped Florida hold opposing fives to just 59.9 points per game (second SEC). Opponents are shooting 28.7% from beyond the arc.
Alabama at Florida odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Alabama -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Florida -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Alabama +1.5 (-105) | Florida -1.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 148.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Alabama at Florida odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Florida 77, Alabama 72
Money line
A youthful Alabama five pulled out a tough win over Tennessee last Wednesday. The Tide trailed through much of the contest as they have in now three of their last four games. In the other game — against Jacksonville State on Dec. 18 — UA was in trouble. ‘Bama trailed at one point in the second half and didn’t come close to covering a 19-point spread.
Alabama is very dependent on perimeter shooting; Florida defends 3s to the hilt. The Gators also figure to have an edge in all the hidden exchanges — turnovers, rebounds, and free throws.
BACK THE GATORS (-135).
Against the spread
The Crimson Tide has lost five in a row against the number. The Gators are 7-2 ATS in their last nine at home.
PEG FLORIDA -1.5 (-120) AS A SLIGHT LEAN.
Over/Under
The combined one game since Dec. 22 makes for some rest/rust gray area here, and this number looks tough to beat. PASS.
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