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Edgar Chaput
Grand Canyon (12) vs. Alabama (4) Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
It will be a great contrast in styles when these schools square off on Sunday evening. Grand Canyon got by fifth-seeded Saint Mary’s with stout defending, at least in the first half, to cruise to a 75-66 victory. As for the Crimson Tide, they played to their strengths, out-shooting the Charleston Cougars 109-96, the highest-scoring game in the tournament thus far.
As it stands, the March Madness odds expect Alabama to walk away the victors, pegging them at -5.5.
Grand Canyon Antelopes vs. Alabama Crimson Tide NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
This is a March Madness original matchup as there has never been a contest of such magnitude between these schools.
Well, the Lopes have done it. In our preview of their first-round game, we mentioned that the school is a relative newbie to the competition and never won a game. That’s all changed now with their vanquishing of Saint Mary’s on Friday. This is already the greatest Grand Canyon team in school history, so to speak. Whatever they accomplish next will see them reach new heights every time.
The Crimson Tide have a lot of history in round two, although not all of it is good. All-time, Alabama is 8-9 at this stage of the tournament. They have won it twice in a row in 2022 and 2023 before falling at the Sweet Sixteen stage both years.
It seems unlikely that there is safer second round bet in the West than this match’s over on the total of 168.5. That’s despite that this game has one of the higher totals around. That’s just how sensational Alabama are on the attack, not to mention all of Grand Canyon’s recent playoff and March Madness contests have gone the way of the over too.
Grand Canyon Antelopes (12)
Yes, number nine Michigan State undid number eight Mississippi, but Grand Canyon’s victory is more impressive. It was not only the program’s first-ever win at this level, but they’re a relatively low seed at 12.
The first half of the Saint Mary’s game was, admittedly, a bit of a slog, but that may very well have been what set the Lopes on their way to a win. The Gaels rarely looked comfortable, with the Lopes playing grittier and smarter basketball. The free throw line was key, with Grand Canyon awarded 36 attempts for their efforts at getting in the paint and making 28. Tyon Grant-Foster was a force to be reckoned with, tallying 22 points (8-for-14 from the line) and seven boards. Gabe McGlothan was another fixture in the paint, corralling 11 rebounds of his own and going 6-for-6 from the line. The lone issue with Grand Canyon is they played a lot of isolation basketball, totalling only 10 assists. One wonders if that will do against a team like Alabama.
Alabama Crimson Tide (4)
Don’t let the 109-96 final deceive you. This game was a disaster with about six minutes left when the Crimson Tide took their foot off the pedal, paving the way for Charleston to knock down some garbage time shots. ‘Bama still won by 13. Let’s keep that in mind.
True to their style of play, Alabama displayed a blistering attack, shooting a gobsmacking 60 per cent from the field and 56.5 per cent from beyond the arc. That Alabama only took 60 shots yet scored 109 points is incredible. We had our first 30-points player in the West this year in Mark Sears (9-for-13). Latrell Wrightsell Jr. followed with 17 points, and Aaron Estrada with 13. Fun fact: every single substitute (all seven of them) that played scored points, be it from the field or the free throw line.
In this team’s case, if the game is close, it will be because of the defence, which is far from great.
GRC
ALA