Alabama Crimson Tide vs
Duke Blue DevilsPredictions & Preview

Duke Favored to Win Elite 8 Matchup Against Alabama in East Region Showdown

In an upcoming Elite 8 matchup in the East Region, the 2-seed Alabama will face off against the 1-seed Duke on Saturday. Alabama is coming off a strong victory against BYU in the Sweet 16, while Duke narrowly defeated Arizona. The last time these programs met was in the 2013 season. The game will take place at the Prudential Center in Newark at 8:49 EST and will be broadcasted on TBS. Duke is currently favored to win, with the betting line opening at -6.5 and now sitting at Duke -7. Keep reading for our Alabama vs. Duke prediction.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Crimson Tide +260 | Blue Devils -325
• Spread: Crimson Tide +7 (-110) | Blue Devils -7 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 175 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Duke will win straight-up is 76%.

Alabama vs Duke Stats

Alabama Crimson Tide

The Alabama Crimson Tide come into their Elite 8 matchup against Duke with momentum following a record-breaking performance in their previous game against BYU. The team hit 25 threes, with three players making five or more, finishing with a 49% shooting percentage from deep. Mark Sears led the charge with 10 threes and 34 points, breaking out of a recent shooting slump. Sears, a First Team All-SEC performer, leads the team in scoring. Aden Holloway and Chris Youngblood also made significant contributions with six and five threes respectively. Grant Nelson anchors the frontcourt, averaging double digits in points and rebounds. Alabama is ranked 6th overall according to KenPom, excelling in offensive efficiency and pace of play. Their statistics show a strong offensive performance, averaging 91.18 points per game with high shooting percentages and rebounding numbers. Defensively, they show room for improvement in field goal and free throw percentages allowed, but fare well in three-point defense and rebounding.

Duke Blue Devils Analysis

The Duke Blue Devils are considered heavy favorites to win the NCAA Tournament, boasting an impressive lineup of NBA talent. Led by top prospect Cooper Flagg, the team excels in both offensive and defensive efficiency, ranking first in the former and fifth in the latter. Duke's offensive stats are impressive, shooting well from the field, free throw line, and three-point range. Defensively, they excel at limiting their opponents' shooting percentages and rebounding the ball effectively. As they prepare to face Alabama, Duke will rely on their star players like Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach to continue their successful tournament run.

Duke Expected to Have Advantage Over Alabama in Basketball Matchup

It is likely that Duke will have the advantage in this game based on the Law of Averages, as a regression in outside shooting from Alabama can be expected. In their previous game, Alabama hit an impressive 25 threes at a 49% rate, a performance that is unlikely to be replicated, especially against the strong defense of Duke. BYU, ranked 82nd in defensive efficiency, posed little threat to Alabama's outside shooting abilities, but Duke, ranked 5th in defensive efficiency, presents a different challenge. With their length and athleticism, Duke will be able to contest deep shots and reduce Alabama's three-point efficiency. Furthermore, Alabama lacks strong defensive matchups for certain Duke players, such as Flagg, who possesses speed and size advantages. The superior talent of Duke is expected to lead them to victory and a cover. It is recommended to take Duke to win and cover in this matchup.

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