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Cecil Hurt and Hunter Johnson break down Alabama’s tourney wins over Iona and Maryland, then look ahead to the Sweet 16 matchup with UCLA.
Cecil Hurt and Hunter Johnson are back from Indianapolis to break down Alabama’s NCAA Tournament wins over Iona and Maryland. They then look ahead to the Sweet 16 matchup with UCLA.
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NCAA Tournament Sweet 16: (2) Alabama (26-6) vs (11) UCLA (20-9) prediction and college basketball game preview.
NCAA Tournament Sweet 16: (2) Alabama (26-6) vs (11) UCLA (20-9) prediction and college basketball game preview.
Date: Sunday, March 28
Game Time: 7:15 pm ET
Venue: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Network: TBS
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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions
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If you’re in the Sweet 16 you’re doing something right.
UCLA had to win three games to get here – beating Michigan State, BYU, and getting a monster break with 14-seed Abilene Christian beating Texas – and it’s all working.
The Bruin defense was fantastic against the ACU shooters in the 67-47 win, the team was excellent from the start offensively, and the rebounding has been there.
Alabama shoots a whole lot of threes, but UCLA has been okay against the Pac-12 teams that bomb way, it’s a better shooting team from the outside, and it’s going to roll on the free throw line.
The Tide limited the fouls in the 96-77 win over Maryland, but it’s usually putting teams on the line at least ten times, and UCLA should pounce. The Bruins are a whole lot stronger from the line than they showed against Abilene Christian.
– 2021 NCAA Tournament Schedule, Predictions
Yeah, UCLA has been able to get here with three wins, but Michigan State, BYU, Abilene Christian … meh.
The Pac-12 has more than proven itself in the tournament with the Bruins playing a huge part of that, but let’s not start preparing to throw another national title on the school’s pile just yet.
Alabama didn’t have any issues against Iona – at least after the first half – and Maryland, it’s on a run of 11 wins in 12 games including the SEC Championship, and it’s playing like a team that’s comfortable in its style.
Attack with the D, shoot threes, rebound the misses – the Tide have ten or more offensive rebounds in the last ten games and in 12 of the last 13 – repeat.
UCLA’s defense has been tough in the tournament, but it’s just okay overall from three and it doesn’t force a whole lot of mistakes.
Alabama is too solid in too many phases.
The defense is strong enough inside and out to keep UCLA from grinding for points like it’s been doing through the tournament, the offense is too explosive on the outside and stronger at moving the ball around, and the threes will be there in the second half to push on.
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Alabama 80, UCLA 73
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Line: Alabama -5.5, o/u: 143.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
5: Godzilla
1: Kong
– Oops & Helmets: 25 Worst Football & Basketball Schools 2020-2021
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