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The BYU vs. Alabama game features a line of Crimson Tide -4.5 for Thursday's Sweet 16 game.
Alabama is one of the highest scoring teams in college basketball. The Crimson Tide averages 91.1 points per game. Defensively, however, they've allowed 80 or more points in seven of their last ten games, including more than 90 points in four of those.
Chris Youngblood led six players in double figures with 13 points and No. 2 seed Alabama powered its way past seventh-seeded Saint Mary's 80-66 on Sunday to reach the Sweet 16 for a third straight year.
Coach Nate Oats knew his team needed to get a little deeper and more athletic, and find more balance to go even further this season.
“It’s tough to guard us when you’ve got six guys capable of getting double digits,” Oats said.
The Crimson Tide ranked third in the nation in terms of successful two-point attempts (60.2% made).
The BYU Cougars led the entire game Saturday but still had to make one, final defensive stop against Wisconsin's irrepressible guard, John Tonje, to seal a 91-89 victory over the Badgers and the program's first trip to the Sweet 16 since 2011.
Tonje finished with 37 points to become the first player to crack 30 this year in the tournament.
That included eight points during a desperate comeback down the stretch.
Both teams rank in the top 10 for offensive efficiency according to KenPom.
|
Team |
Odds |
|
#1 Duke |
2/1 |
|
#1 Florida |
4/1 |
|
#1 Houston |
5/1 |
|
#1 Auburn |
6/1 |
|
#2 Alabama |
14/1 |
|
#2 Tennessee |
14/1 |
|
#3 Texas Tech |
18/1 |
|
#2 Michigan State |
20/1 |
|
#4 Maryland |
25/1 |
|
#4 Arizona |
40/1 |
|
#3 Kentucky |
50/1 |
|
#4 Purdue |
70/1 |
|
#5 Michigan |
70/1 |
|
#6 BYU |
70/1 |
|
#6 Ole Miss |
100/1 |
|
#10 Arkansas |
100/1 |
|
|
