UAB (12) vs. San Diego State (5) Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
The Aztecs enter this East Region matchup as 6.5-point favourites to win on the college basketball odds, while the total is set at 139.5.
UAB vs. San Diego State NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
The winner of this game is set to face either No. 4 Auburn or No. 13 Yale in the second round.
UAB has a combined 10-16 record across 17 NCAA Tournament appearances since 1981. They’ve made it as far as the Sweet 16 three times (1981, 1982, 2004) and their best result was a run to the Elite Eight in 1982. They were also a 12-seed in their last tournament appearance in 2022 when they lost in the first round against Houston. The Blazers are +75,000 to win the tournament, +12,500 to reach the Final Four, +6000 to reach the Elite Eight and +2200 to reach the Sweet 16.
This will be San Diego State’s 16th NCAA Tournament appearance. They are a combined 11-15 across their previous 15 appearances and they’ve reached the Big Dance seven times in the last 10 years. Last year’s run to the national title game was the best result in school history. The Aztecs are +10,000 to win the tournament, +2000 to reach the Final Four, +900 to reach the Elite Eight and +250 to reach the Sweet 16.
Most March Madness fans believe the 12 vs. 5 game is the most common upset of the first round, but how accurate is that belief? While No. 5’s were a perfect 4-0 last year, they were just 4-4 in the two previous tournaments. In 2022, No. 12 New Mexico State defeated UConn and 12-seed Richmond upset Iowa.
UAB Blazers (12)
UAB finished fourth in the AAC with a 12-6 conference record, but they ended the year on a strong five-game win streak to post a 23-11 overall record. That win streak included a strong 85-69 drubbing of Temple in the AAC Tournament title game that earned the Blazers an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. The team is led by junior forward Yaxel Lendeborg, who was named AAC Defensive Player of the Year and won MVP of the AAC Tournament. Lendeborg averages team-highs in points (13.9), rebounds (10.7) and blocks (2.1). UAB is also benefitting from the transfer portal through junior guards Eric Gaines (12.2 ppg) and Alejandro Vasquez (11.3 ppg).
San Diego State Aztecs (5)
San Diego State had a disappointing 11-7 conference record to finish fifth in the Mountain West this season, but they had a solid run in the Mountain West Tournament, falling to New Mexico in the championship game. This is an experienced team, with Jaedon LeDee, LaMont Butler, Micah Parrish and Darrion Trammell all returning from last year’s team that lost to UConn in the NCAA Tournament title game. LeDee is a top-20 scorer in the country, averaging 21.1 ppg and a team-high 8.4 rebounds, while Butler is an elite perimeter defender, who was named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year.
UAB
SDSU