We move on to the quarterfinals of the NIT tournament and we will see the Maryland Terrapins travel south to take on the Alabama Crimson Side. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 pm (Eastern) start time and will be televised on ESPN. Currently the Odds for the game have Alabama favored by 4 points while the total sits at 127.5.
Analysis: The Crimson Tide are playing as a No. 1 seed in this event for the second time in the last three years. Two years ago, that top billing propelled Alabama all the way to the NIT title game, where they lost to Wichita State, 66-57. Anthony Grant's squad this season has amassed a solid 23-12 overall record, including a 12-6 mark in the SEC. The Tide have made rather light work of the competition in this event thus far, knocking off Northeastern in first-round action, 62-43, before besting defending NIT champion Stanford last Saturday, 66-54. Alabama, which has won eight straight home games in this event, is 23-14 all-time in the NIT, the most NIT victories among SEC schools. The Crimson Tide’s top three scorers – junior guard Trevor Releford (15.1), sophomore guard Trevor Lacey (11.5) and sophomore guard Rodney Cooper (10.1) – combined for just 22 points on 7-of-22 shooting in the 66-54 victory over Stanford. Sophomore guard Levi Randolph (7.9) had a team-high 16 points and is averaging 12.3 points over the past four games, while redshirt freshman guard Retin Obasohan stepped up with a season-best 14 points. Releford’s 68 steals are third-most on Alabama’s single-season ledger, and the Crimson Tide average 8.3 thefts. Alabama allows 58.4 points per game.
The Terrapins are no stranger to NIT success, as the team is seeking its third trip to the semifinal round all-time. Maryland is 13-6 in this event, capturing the 1972 championship. Mark Turgeon's Terrapins had some big wins on the season and come in at 24-12 overall. The team navigated through the earlier rounds of this event with an 86-70 rout of Niagara, followed by a 62-52 win over Denver, both in College Park. Sophomore guards Dez Wells and Nick Faust have played solid basketball over the past five games. Wells is averaging 19.4 points and shooting 58.6 percent from the field during that span to raise his team-high average to 13.2. Faust is averaging 12.8 points and ranks third on the squad with a 9.5 average. Sophomore center Alex Len averages 11.7 points and leads the team in rebounding (7.7) and blocked shots (67). Wells scored 19 points in the 62-52 victory over Denver when the Terrapins overcame a nine-point deficit with nine-plus minutes to play by going to a five-guard lineup.
Pick: I know that Maryland is 97th in the nation in tempo, but this game is played at Alabama and no matter who they play they get the pace where they want it and that is a game in the 50's. The Under is 16-5 in Alabama's last 21 home games and 8-0 in their last 8 vs non-conference opponents. Alabama is 316th in the nation in tempo and their home games have averaged just 118.4 ppg. All year Alabama had just three games score over 126 points and none in their last 10 games. Those last 10 home games have averaged just 113.9 ppg, while their two home games in the NIT put up just 105 and 120 points. A big reason for this is pace, but another reason is their defense. Alabama allows just 55.5 ppg on 39.1% shooting at home and in the first two games of the NIT they have allowed a total of 97 points. Now Maryland does score 71.4 ppg overall, but on the road they put up just 62.2 ppg on 41.3% shooting. They do not score or shoot all that well on the road and I do not see them coming all that close to 60 points in this one. The Maryland defense is not all that bad on the road, where they allow 65 ppg on 39% shooting and they are 32nd overall in defensive efficiency. The team can play some defense and the Tide only scores 62.9 ppg at home. These teams are 179th and 204th in shooting the 3-ball, while they are 42nd and 30th at defending the arc, so not allot of extra points from long range, plus we note that the teams are 142nd and 211th from the charity stripe. Yes Maryland is uptemo, but still heir road games have averaged just 127.2 ppg, so hey are slowed down away from home and i expect Alabama to do that in this one. I don't see this one cracking 120 points.
Beat Johnny Detroit Contest: Free to Enter CASH PRIZES & BOUNTY who beats JD! ENTER HERE
-$25 of picks FREE! No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free!
Stay on top of the latest odds and line moves for March Madness with our real-time odds from Las Vegas and offshore!
College Basketball Free Picks: Maryland vs Alabama Betting
What college basketball bettors need to know about Maryland Terrapins vs Alabama Crimson Tide on Tuesday (3/26/13) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Scott Spreitzer with Marco D'Angelo.