NCAA Basketball: 4 best bets for opening night games of 2021-22 season
By Ian Mumm
Louisiana Tech @ Alabama – U156.5
A huge improvement in Nate Oats 2nd season with the Tide was among the expectations of many in college basketball. Killing the recruiting trail and securing notable wins in his first season with the program, the trend line was pointing up. A huge part of that has been Alabama’s offensive production and perimeter barrage shooting teams out of the gym. However, this team’s defensive production has flown under the radar as a reason for helping to propel their results.
Alabama particularly forced a lot of turnovers, ranking 17th and 45th in the nation for steals and blocks respectively. However, their results weren’t simply due to opportunistic play. Rather the Crimson Tide carried sound defensive principles to make life difficult for their opponents.
Ranked 1st in the SEC in opposing field goal %, 3-pointers allowed, opposing 3-point % and steals, conference opponents only managed two wins against the Tide last season. Even with turnover on the roster, Oats progress recruiting has successfully reloaded the roster to reach these milestones again.
Their opening opponent Louisiana Tech finished 2nd in Conference USA last season and bring a top-25 defensive squad to the floor as well. The Bulldogs featured relied on balanced scoring with six players adding 8.6 points per game, including budding star and now sophomore forward Kenneth Lofton (12.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG). The program is having to replace a pair of those contributors, Kalob Ledoux and JaColby Pemberton, but should still be able to plug and replace those pieces to challenge for the conference title again.
In particular, the Bulldogs were mirror images of the Alabama defensive production outside of creating turnovers. Louisiana Tech was able to limit offensive opportunities for their opponents and adequately challenge shots down the stretch, particularly from the perimeter. While it’s hard for Louisiana Tech to match bucket for bucket with a juggernaut like Alabama, their defense will be the side keeping them in the game.
Defense should carry the day for both teams in fact in the opening matchup of the season. It’s hard to expect these offenses to be humming from the start having to incorporate new pieces into the primary rotation giving value to the opening total.
Bet the total U156.5