[mm-video type=video id=01gved089g4bg8hvxtj0 playlist_id=none player_id=01evcg1x9ny8tb834m image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gved089g4bg8hvxtj0/01gved089g4bg8hvxtj0-3dc54a5dbd48b9ec5483c0ce0eebf69e.jpg]
The No. 16 Texas A&M-CC Islanders (24-10) battle the top-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide (29-5) Thursday in a first-round NCAA Tournament game.. Tip from Legacy Arena is set for 2:45 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Texas A&M-CC vs. Alabama odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
The Islanders, who earned an automatic bid with a 75-71 win over Northwestern State in the Southland Conference title game, beat No. 16 Southeast Missouri State 75-71 Tuesday, covering as a 3-point favorite. They have won 5 straight games and have covered 4 of them. They are led by G Trevian Tennyson, who is averaging 15.6 points per game.
The Crimson Tide earned an automatic bid with a 82-63 win over Texas A&M in the SEC Championship. They are the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed. Alabama has covered 3 in a row and is a heavy favorite here. It is led by F Brandon Miller, who is averaging 19.6 points per game this season.
[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Alabama vs Texas A&M-CC” link=”https://www.fubo.tv/welcome?irad=343747&irmp=1205322&subId1=SBW&subId2=March%20Madness&subId3=odds%20post%20HTW%20buttons”]
THE BRACKETS ARE BACK! The USA TODAY Sports Bracket Challenge is back! $1 MILLION grand prize for a perfect bracket, $25,000 prize for top bracket. Free to enter, 21+. Terms apply, void where prohibited by law. See Official Rules. Play now!
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3003″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3006″ ]
[betwidget_tipico]
Texas A&M-CC vs. Alabama odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 8 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Texas A&M-CC +1200 (bet $100 to win $1,200) | Alabama -7000 (bet $70,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Texas A&M-CC +24.5 (-108) | Alabama -24.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 155.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
Can you survive? USA TODAY Sports’ Men and Women’s Basketball Tournament Survivor Pools are here with a $5,000 prize for each contest! Free to enter, 21+. Terms apply, void where prohibited by law. See Official Rules. Play now!
Texas A&M-CC vs. Alabama picks and predictions
Prediction
Alabama 86, Texas A&M-CC 61
Moneyline
PASS.
Do not put this in your parlays. Alabama is that good, but at (-7000), adding this would have little impact and has more risk than reward.
Against the spread
BET ALABAMA -24.5 (-112).
The Crimson Tide are rolling and have covered 3 straight games. They haven’t just covered them but won all 3 by double figures, and even beat Mississippi State, a No. 11 seed in the tournament, by 23 points in the SEC Tournament. Alabama is 1-1 ATS as a favorite of 20 or more this season.
The Islanders were 0-3 ATS this season as an underdog of 15 or more, losing to Mississippi State by 19, Arizona by 28 and Oklahoma State by 23. Considering those flaws, back ALABAMA -24.5 (-112).
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 155.5 (-112).
Competitive tournament games bring both gitties and intense defense. Both teams have already seen that. Texas A&M-CC is 1-2 O/U in 3 postseason games.
Alabama has scored at least 72 in each of its 3 postseason games, but has still gone Under in all 3. It has gone Under in 4 straight games and should have the athleticism to limit the Islanders.
Back the UNDER 155.5 (-112).
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
For sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Plus, try out the USA TODAY Parlay Calculator and please gamble responsibly.
Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]