Entering the 2024-25 season, Alabama was the preseason No. 2 team in the nation. Throughout, they’ve looked the part of a Final Four contender, ranking in the top 10 of the AP poll the entire time. But they’ve had some ups and downs, including giving up over 100 points in the SEC Tournament loss to Florida.
Their opponent is Robert Morris, who tied a program record with 26 wins. For the first time in nearly a decade, they’re back in the NCAA Tournament after winning their first Horizon League championship, beating Oakland and Youngstown State in the conference tournament.
How to watch Alabama vs Robert Morris
Date: Friday, March 21st
Time: 12:40 pm ET
Venue: Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio
How to Watch (TV): truTV
Streaming: fubo TV (link: https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/leagues/191260?irad=367782&irmp=374356)
Robert Morris record: 26-8 (15-5 Horizon League)
Alabama record: 25-8 (13-5 SEC)
Alabama vs Robert Morris odds, spread and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook (link: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/)
Moneyline
Alabama -7000
Robert Morris +2500
Spread
Alabama -22.5 (-120)
Robert Morris +22.5 (-102)
Total
166.5 (over -106/under -111)
Alabama injury report
Latrell Wrightsell, G: Out (lower leg)
Grant Nelson, F: Questionable (Knee)
Robert Morris injury report
Dilen Miller, G: Out (lower leg)
Alabama and Robert Morris series history
Alabama all-time record vs. Robert Morris: 1-0
Alabama vs Robert Morris prediction
What makes Alabama a difficult team for a mid-major to upset is that they’re so potent offensively. They’re No. 1 in the nation in scoring, led by Mark Sears with 18.7 ppg and 4.9 apg. Even if starting forward Grant Nelson isn’t able to play, there are three other double-digit scorers besides Sears, along with former top-40 prospects coming off the bench in forwards Jarin Stevenson and Mouhamed Dioubate.
That being said, Robert Morris has its own quality frontcourt, led by Horizon League Player of the Year Alvaro Folgueiras (14.1 ppg and 9.1 rpg), along with 6’7 forward and Conference Defensive Player of the Year Amarion Dickerson. They’ll need a big game from leading scorer Kam Woods (15.1 ppg and 5.1 apg) to have a shot at the upset, but the Colonials can score points.
If RMU drew St. John’s, Texas Tech, or even Tennessee, there’s a chance that they could keep up. However, Alabama’s offense is just going to be too tough to slow down. It won’t be a complete blowout, but look for the Tide to advance.
Prediction: Alabama 82, Robert Morris 62