Those lost on their first Saturday without much college football won’t need to venture very far for something else to entertain, as this Saturday’s slate of college basketball is packed with exciting matchups headlined by the No. 1 Arizona Wildcats traveling to take on the No. 12 Alabama Crimson Tide.
Arizona arrives in Birmingham 8-0 and looking to secure its fifth ranked win this season. While Alabama is 7-2 looking for their third win over a top 10-ranked opponent.
This game is sure to excite and those looking to wager on the game will have numerous sportsbooks and betting markets to choose from. To save you some time, I’ve found some of the best odds and bets from my favorite platforms ahead of the 9:30 p.m. ET tip-off.
The oddsmakers aren’t unanimous, but the majority favor Arizona. The Wildcats are one to 1.5-point favorites across most of the top sportsbooks on the market. The over/under for the game is currently being offered from 176.5 to 177.5 points.
Alabama vs. Arizona predictions and best bets
- Under 177.5 Points: -108 at DraftKings
- Alabama Under 88.5 Points: -110 at BetMGM
- Alabama ML: -108 at DraftKings
Taking the over on a point line this high seems absurd, but both offenses are incredibly effective at putting up points in bunches, and that trend should continue tonight. However, the Wildcats tend to control the pace better and should slow down the Crimson Tide for a lower-scoring affair than usual.
For that same reason I’m taking the Alabama under on point total at BetMGM. The Wildcats haven’t allowed a team to surpass this total yet, and while Alabama would be the team to do it, I’m trusting the trends.
Still, I like the Crimson Tide to pull out the victory in this matchup. Arizona doesn’t have the offensive firepower to match Alabama on the perimeter, which makes me give Nate Oats’ squad the edge in what should be an exciting showdown.
Alabama vs. Arizona moneyline analysis
Why Arizona could win as the favorite
Best odds: +106 at FanDuel
The Wildcats are the projected favorite in this matchup for the majority of our top sportsbooks. DraftKings Sportsbook gives Arizona the best chance of victory, offering a moneyline of -112, with FanDuel offering the best value to bettors by viewing the team as an underdog at +106.
Arizona is ranked as the top team in the country and is rolling into tonight’s game off its most impressive win of the season. The team beat Auburn by 29 points, with eight players scoring 6 or more points.
The rotation is very well-balanced, but the star of the show is freshman Koa Peat. The Arizona native averages just under 16 points per game while shooting an efficient 56.3% from the field. The team as a whole shoots just over 53%, ranking fourth in the nation.
The team has gone toe-to-toe with some of the best programs in the country and emerged victorious, including wins over UConn, UCLA, and Florida. Now they’ll travel to Alabama, hoping to score another great win on their resume over the Crimson Tide.
Why Alabama could win as the underdog
Best odds: -108 at DraftKings
Oddsmakers across most the major sportsbooks view the Crimson Tide as underdogs, but the lines offered vary by platform. FanDuel Sportsbook projects the team to win with a moneyline of -128, while DraftKings provides the best value at -108.
You wouldn’t ordinarily see the best odds for the underdog in the negatives while the favorite has positive value, but sportsbooks are split ahead of this game.
Alabama has lost twice, but the team went through the wringer to start the season with four straight games against top-12 teams. The team split these matchups, winning over St. John’s and Illinois but losing to Purdue and Gonzaga.
Labaron Philon Jr. is arguably the best player in this game, as the sophomore guard averages over 21 points a game with over five assists and three rebounds as well.
However, the Crimson Tide has eight other players who average at least 8 points and 14 minutes per game. This is a deep roster with plenty of talent to compete against anyone, including the Wildcats tonight.
Alabama will need to utilize its advantage in offensive pace to win this game. The team ranks in the top 15 nationally for points per game, pace of play, and three-point attempts. Continue pushing the basketball, and they should be able to force Arizona to play outside its identity.
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