The North Alabama Lions (6-4) and Colorado Buffaloes (5-5) meet for a non-conference game in Boulder on Thursday. Tip at the CU Events Center is 8:30 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the North Alabama vs. Colorado odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
North Alabama returns to action after a week off. The Lions last played Dec. 7, covering a 7-point spread in a 71-63 triumph over Alabama State. UNA has played 3 other teams ranked in the top-150 by KenPom. The Lions lost to UC-Santa Barbara (Nov. 23), Georgia Tech (Nov. 26) and Memphis (Nov. 30) by 18, 19 and 19 points, respectively. The loss against Memphis was an against-the-spread (+26.5) win.
The Buffaloes are 1-2 straight-up and 1-2 ATS this month. Colorado was a 4-point favorite when it blasted Colorado State 93-65 in its last game on Dec. 8. A Buffs offense that has often been loose with the basketball logged just 8 turnovers against the Rams.
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North Alabama at Colorado odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:12 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: North Alabama +1100 (bet $100 to win $1100) | Colorado -5000 (bet $5000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): North Alabama +22.5 (-105) | Colorado -22.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 147.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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North Alabama at Colorado picks and predictions
Prediction
Colorado 84, North Alabama 63
Moneyline
PASS. UNA is a lean in principle but the return here does not match the risk.
Against the spread
The Buffaloes are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight-up win. And they are 1-6-2 ATS in their last 9 home games against foes with a losing road record.
Colorado is certainly the more talented team here, but the Buffs have been inconsistent over the first 5 weeks of the season. An 83-74 loss to a Grambling team on Nov. 11 which is — like North Alabama — outside the KenPom top-200 was not a good look. Neither was a 66-63 loss to UMass on Nov. 17.
The Lions are a solid enough defensive rebounding team, and they have displayed an ability to frequently get to the foul line. Their defense has been undone by perimeter shooting (opponents shooting 41.7% from distance), and that figure is due for a market correction. Not so much as to expect a single-digit margin in this game, but the Lions can play this contest down to a 20-point loss.
TAKE NORTH ALABAMA +22.5 (-105).
Over/Under
PASS. Too much gray area in how this game swings with so much advantage to the home side.
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