Second seeded Alabama will meet sixth seeded BYU in a Sweet Sixteen East Regional matchup. The Crimson Tide come in with the highest scoring offense in the country, averaging 91.1 points per game. Alabama got to the Sweet Sixteen by defeating #15 seed Robert Morris 90-81 and knocking off #7 seed Saint Mary’s 80-66. BYU, also no stranger to high scoring games (the Cougars are averaging 81.3 points per game, 25th in the nation) beat popular upset pick VCU 80-71 before slipping past #3 seed Wisconsin 91-89.
How to watch BYU vs Alabama
- Date: Thursday, March 27
- Time: 7:09 pm EST
- Venue: Prudential Center, Newark NJ
- How to Watch (TV): CBS
- Streaming: fubo TV (link: https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/leagues/191260?irad=367782&irmp=1412332)
- BYU record: 26-9 (14-6 Big 12)
- Alabama record: 27-8 (13-5 SEC)
BYU vs Alabama odds, spread and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook (link: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/ )
Moneyline
- BYU +155
- Alabama -188
Spread
- BYU +4.5
- Alabama -4.5
Total
- 174.5 (over -110/under -110)
BYU injury report
- None
Alabama injury report
- Houston Mallette, G (Questionable, knee)
Alabama and BYU series history
- Alabama all-time record vs. BYU: 2-0
BYU vs Alabama prediction
This is a strength-on-strength matchup between two great offenses. KenPom has both offenses ranked in the top 10 in offensive efficiency. Alabama also likes to play fast; they play at the quickest tempo in the country. They will look to push the pace and pile up points. There’s a reason the over/under for this game is by far the highest of the Sweet 16 matchups (and almost 20 points higher than the second highest total).
Alabama is led by Mark Sears, who averages 18.6 points and five rebounds a game for the Tide. Containing him will be BYU's biggest priority, although it's worth noting that Alabama has five players that average double-digit points per game. Meanwhile, BYU boats a deep rotation that sees nine player average 30 minutes a game or more. The Cougars leading scorer is forward Richie Saunders, who averages 16.3 points a game.
A couple keys point to the Crimson Tide having an edge. BYU is an excellent three-point shooting team (37.3%) and also relies heavily upon it; over 39% of their points come via long range buckets. Meanwhile, Alabama is a solid three point defense, ranking among the top-25 teams at defending the arc according to KenPom. They are among the most athletic teams the Cougars will have seen; in this game, Alabama’s defense will match their offensive prowess as the Tide moves on.