Alabama is the greatest football factory in college football. Basketball has been an afterthought in Tuscaloosa. Now that has changed. Coach Nate Oats has transformed the Crimson Tide into a national power. Alabama uses a jet fuel offense for its success with the College Basketball lines. Alabama dominated to win the SEC regular-season and tournament championships. The second seed in the East Regional was their reward. Texas could be the biggest threat to Alabama in the bracket. The Longhorns closed strong and have scoring depth. Meanwhile, dangerous BYU was the biggest threat to undefeated Gonzaga all season.
2021 NCAA Tournament – Alabama Bracket
| First Round Date: | Saturday, March 20, 2021 |
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| 2021 NCAA Tournament Odds at SBG: | Click Here |
Iona vs. Alabama -16, 147, 4 p.m. ET, TBS
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iona | +17 (-110) | 148 (-110) | +1200 | |
| Alabama | -17 (-110) | 148 (-110) | -1900 | |
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Alabama is 24-6 SU, 17-12-1 ATS, 14-16 OU. Late on, the Crimson Tide has covered four of their last five sports betting matchups. Five of their last seven games stayed under the total. Overall, the Crimson Tide ranks 31st out of 350 teams for scoring offense. Jaden Shackelford leads with 14.2 points per game.
Iona finished third in the Metro Atlantic Conference but won the league tournament. Late on, Iona is unbeaten vs. the odds in their last six games. Isaiah Ross is a threat with 18.4 points per game. In sum, Iona is 12-5 SU, 11-5-1 ATS, 9-8 OU. Coach Rick Pitino leads the Gaels.
BYU vs. TBD, 9:40 p.m. ET, CBS
BYU will face the winner of the First Four game between Michigan State and UCLA. On the whole, the Cougars are 20-6 SU, 13-7-3 ATS, 10-12 OU. BYU ranks 38th out of 350 teams for scoring and a solid 95th for points allowed. Alex Barcello leads BYU with 15.9 points per game. Consider BYU had Gonzaga on the West Coast Conference championship game’s ropes before falling 88-78. The Cougars held a 12-point halftime lead.
Texas vs. Abilene Christian, 9:50 p.m. ET, truTV
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene Christian | +8½ (-110) | 140½ (-110) | +335 | |
| Texas | -8½ (-110) | 140½ (-110) | -420 | |
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Texas is 19-7 SU, 12-13-1 ATS, 16-10 OU. Meanwhile, Abilene Christian is 23-4 SU, 17-6 ATS, 14-9 OU. Texas won the Big 12 tournament and has covered five in a row. Longhorns’ coach Shaka Smart had one of the top teams in the first half of the season. Subsequently, Texas slumped in the dog days of the Big 12 Conference schedule. But the Longhorns closed strong and in impressive fashion. Andrew Jones leads with 14.6 points per game.
Sharps are absolutely in love with Abilene Christian. Cause by their record as one of the most profitable teams in college basketball. Abilene Christian has impressive metrics of 54th or scoring offense and 8th for points allowed. Specifically, the Wildcats won the Southland Conference Tournament.
Connecticut vs. Maryland, 7:10 p.m. ET, CBS
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | +3 (-110) | 130½ (-110) | +135 | |
| Connecticut | -3 (-110) | 130½ (-110) | -155 | |
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UConn is 15-7 SU, 16-5-1 ATS, 11-11 OU. Late on, the Huskies have lost only one of their last nine to the spread. James Bouknight leads the Huskies with 19 points per game. So too, does UConn bring the nation’s 52nd ranked scoring defense.
Maryland relies on the 46th ranked scoring defense for their success. Of great concern, the Terps offense is a dismal 242nd for scoring. Maryland has failed to cover three of their last four games.
Alabama Bracket SBG Free Picks
In this situation, Maryland should be exposed as a team that doesn’t belong. Abilene Christian should bring enhanced value to the College basketball lines. And Alabama should run Iona off the floor.
Alabama Bracket SBG Best Bet: Alabama Crimson Tide, Connecticut Huskies, and Abilene Christian.