The No. 18 Texas A&M Aggies (25-8) look to repeat the final game of the regular season with a victory over the No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide (28-5) in SEC Tournament Championship in Nashville Sunday at 1 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Texas A&M vs. Alabama odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
Alabama has been one of the most consistent teams all season and is a likely No. 1 seed when the brackets are announced Sunday night. Alabama has won its 1st 2 conference tournament games by a combined 34 points as the defense held Missouri 19 points below its season average and allowed Mississippi State to score just 49 points.
Brandon Miller continues to thrive for the Tide and the SEC player of the year and potential national player of the year, has shown why he was a coveted 5-star prospect in the Class of 2023.
Texas A&M will need to rely on its defense, which has served it well in the tournament thus far holding Arkansas to 61 points, although the offense stepped up against Vanderbilt in the semifinals by putting up 87 points in a 12-point win.
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Texas A&M vs. Alabama odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:06 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Texas A&M +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Alabama -210 (bet $210 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Texas A & M +4.5 (-105) | Alabama -4.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Texas A&M vs. Alabama picks and predictions
Prediction
Alabama 72, Texas A&M 65
Moneyline
PASS.
Although the Aggies won the final game of the regualar season over Alabama 67-61, this game will be different. This game is not in College Station. And this game means a lot more to Alabama than that game did.
Alabama is favored for a reason, but -210 is too much to wager on any straight bet. It is a wonderful addition to a parlay, but it is not worth a wager otherwise.
Against the spread
ALABAMA -4.5 (-115).
The Crimson Tide have been on a mission through the SEC Tournament, defeating Mississippi State 72-49 and Missouri 72-61. Miller scored 21 in the semifinal win and became the top freshman scorer in Alabama history in the process.
The 4.5 points does not feel like enough the way Alabama is playing. Alabama is the correct side up to 6.5 and the 2 points of perceived value makes it an even stronger play.
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Over/Under
UNDER 145.5 (-115).
With Alabama ranked 7th at 82.8 points per game, you would think the Over is the play. But the defense of Alabama has come up strong late and despite the high-octane offense, only 15 of Alabama’s games have gone Over the total this season.
Texas A&M also plays a ball-control game, and it will take the air out of the ball Sunday to avoid being run out of the gym by the more athletic Crimson Tide. Coach Buzz Williams has done a great job this season in adapting to the opponent. This has gotten the Aggies to a 25-8 record and to this game. He will try the same approach this Sunday to the one that workedlast Sundayin 6-point win over Alabama. Although the result might be different here, the score should be close and this means Under 145.5 is the wager.
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For sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Plus, try out the USA TODAY Parlay Calculator and please gamble responsibly.
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