Alabama at Duke: Free Pick & Betting Odds

Alabama Crimson Tide (31-13 SU, 25-19 ATS) vs. Duke Blue Devils (42-3 SU, 27-18 ATS)

When: Saturday, March 29th, 8:49 PM (ET)

Where: Prudential Center, NJ, Newark

TV: TBS

Point Spread: ALA +7.5/DUKE -7.5

Total: 173.5

Money Line: Alabama Crimson Tide +242/-308

Notable Injuries

Crimson Tide

• Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (Out) Achilles
• Houston Mallette (Out) Redshirt
• Naas Cunningham (Out) Redshirt

Blue Devils

Recent Form

Alabama Crimson Tide Recent Game/Games

Alabama’s season record now stands at 31-13 after a 104-82 loss to the Gators on Saturday. The Tide, who were +3 underdogs, not only lost but failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points reached 186, surpassing the O/U line of 180.

Alabama trailed 47-45 at halftime but struggled in the 2nd half, scoring just 37 points while allowing 57.

Duke improved to 42-3 on the season with a 73-62 home win over Louisville on Saturday, March 15th. The Blue Devils entered the game as 6-point favorites and covered the spread, while the total points of 135 fell short of the 148.5 O/U line.

After trailing 38-33 at halftime, Duke clamped down defensively, allowing just 24 points in the 2nd half while scoring 40 of their own to secure the win.

Analysis

Alabama put up 82 points in their last game, shooting 41.8% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 50.7%, with a 53.1% success rate on two-pointers and 31.4% from beyond the arc, hitting 11 threes on 35 attempts. They also shot 65.2% from the free-throw line, making 15 of 23 attempts.

Walter Clayton Jr. led the way with 22 points, hitting 6 of 11 threes and adding six assists. Mouhamed Dioubate was perfect from the field, going 5 for 5, and grabbed 12 rebounds. Chris Youngblood contributed 14 points, connecting on 4 of 7 three-point attempts.

Alabama’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 104 points on 51% shooting. The opposing team hit 55% of their two-point attempts, going 25/45 from inside the arc.

From three-point range, Alabama allowed 12 threes on 27 attempts, a 44% success rate. They also sent the other team to the line 28 times, where they made 18 free throws.

Duke put up 73 points in their last game, shooting 44% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 54%. They connected on 10 of 27 three-point attempts, hitting 37% from beyond the arc, and were strong from the free-throw line, making 19 of 24 attempts (79.2%).

Terrence Edwards Jr. led the way with 29 points and six rebounds, hitting 5 of 12 threes. Tyrese Proctor added 19 points, also going 6 for 14 from deep, while Kon Knueppel contributed 18 points and eight rebounds despite missing all 5 of his three-point attempts.

Duke’s defense allowed 62 points in their last game, with their opponents shooting 44% from the field on 22/50 shooting. Inside the arc, they gave up 12/23 shooting, which is 52%.

From three-point range, Duke’s defense allowed 10/27 shooting, or 37%. They also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 24 times, where they made 19, shooting 79%. Duke gave up eight offensive rebounds.

Betting Trends

• When looking at their past ten road matchups, Alabama has an ATS record of 7-3 while averaging 90 per game. The team went 7-3 overall in these games.
• When looking at their past three matchups at home, Duke has an ATS record of 3-0 while averaging 96 per game. The team went 3-0 overall in these games.
• Spanning across their last three games as the betting underdog, the Crimson Tide have gone 2-1 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 1-2.
• As the betting favorite, the Blue Devils have an ATS record of 3-2 in their last five games. In these matchups, their straight up record was 5-0.

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

Both Alabama and Duke were impressive on Thursday night, with Alabama shooting the lights out of the gym and Cooper Flagg confirming to everyone why he is likely the top player in college basketball. Although I see Duke winning this one, I’m jumping all over, getting the Crimson Tide at +7.5.