Alabama Crimson Tide vs UNC Asheville Bulldogs Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our UNC Asheville vs Alabama NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Tuscaloosa.

UNC Asheville vs Alabama Prediction

The Bulldogs and Crimson Tide are set to face off at 9:00 ET on ESPNU. The Crimson Tide will host the game at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, AL. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 162.5 points, and Alabama is favored by -26.5 at home against UNC Asheville.

UNC Asheville vs. Alabama Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: UNC Asheville Bulldogs at Alabama Crimson Tide
Where: Tuscaloosa at Coleman Coliseum
Date: Monday, November 4th
Betting Odds ALA -26.5, NCASHE +2206 | ALA -7592 O/U 162.5

Bulldogs Preview: Is A Road Victory Likely for Underdog UNC Asheville?

UNC Asheville Bulldogs Records

UNC Asheville finished last season with a 19-12 overall record, going 14-5 in Big South play. At home, they posted an 11-5 mark, with an average scoring margin of +2.2 points. On the road, they went 8-7, with a -0.1 average scoring margin.

Against the spread, the Bulldogs were 15-16, and they had an 18-13 over/under record, with their games averaging 150.8 points. As the favorite, they went 16-3 straight-up and 10-9 ATS, and as the underdog, they were 3-9 straight-up and 5-7 ATS.

Bulldogs Offense Breakdown

UNC Asheville averaged 78.9 points per game last season, ranking 276th in possessions per game with 65.8. They shot 46% from the field, placing 102nd, and had an effective field goal percentage of 53%, ranking 93rd. The Bulldogs made 8.1 three-pointers per game, shooting 36% from beyond the arc, which was 82nd nationally. They were 14th in free throws made per game, averaging 17.4.

Josh Banks and Fletcher Abee are the top returning players for UNC Asheville. Banks averaged 12.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game last season, while Abee contributed 10.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. Both players appeared in all 34 games.

Bulldogs Team Defense

Last season, UNC Asheville struggled defensively, allowing 73.1 points per game, which ranked 207th in the nation. They were more effective at defending the three-point line, holding opponents to 30.2% shooting, ranking 106th nationally. However, they allowed 18.8 free throws per game, placing them 192nd in that category.

The Bulldogs averaged 6 steals per game, ranking 256th, but they were stronger in blocked shots, averaging 4.3 per game, which ranked 61st in the country.

Crimson Tide Preview: Will Alabama Find a Way to Win at Home?

Alabama Crimson Tide Records

Alabama finished last season with a 21-11 overall record, going 13-6 in SEC play. At home, they were dominant, posting a 14-3 record with an average scoring margin of +18.6 points. However, they struggled on the road, finishing 7-8 with a -0.4 average scoring margin.

Against the spread, the Crimson Tide went 17-15, including an 11-6 mark at home and 6-9 on the road. They were 20-4 straight-up when favored and 1-7 as the underdog. Their games averaged 171.8 points, and they had a 24-8 over/under record, with the average line set at 163.2 points.

Crimson Tide Offense Breakdown

Alabama Crimson Tide Offense Stats

Alabama was one of the highest-scoring teams in the country last season, averaging 90.8 points per game. They were 48th in possessions per game, with 71.6, and shot 47% from the field, ranking 53rd. Their effective field goal percentage was 56%, placing them 32nd, and they shot 57% on two-pointers, good for 29th.

The Crimson Tide made 11.1 three-pointers per game, ranking 3rd, and attempted 30.3 per game, ranking 4th. They shot 36% from beyond the arc, placing 72nd. They also made 17.9 free throws per game, ranking 8th.

Alabama Crimson Tide Top Returning Offensive Players

Mark Sears: G

Games: 32 (Last Year)
PPG: 21.1 (Last Year)
Assists: 4.1 (Last Year)
Rebounds: 4 (Last Year)

Chris Youngblood: G

Games: 31 (Last Year)
PPG: 15.1 (Last Year)
Assists: 2.1 (Last Year)
Rebounds: 2.5 (Last Year)

Crimson Tide Team Defense

Alabama struggled defensively last season, allowing 81.1 points per game, which ranked 337th in the nation. Opponents shot 32.4% from three-point range against them, placing Alabama 230th in that category. They also gave up 24.8 free throws per game, ranking 332nd in the country.

However, the Crimson Tide were more effective in creating turnovers, averaging 7.2 steals per game, which ranked 96th nationally. They also averaged 4.1 blocked shots per game, placing them 82nd in the nation.

Bulldogs vs Crimson Tide Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

In their last ten games away from home, the Bulldogs have a straight up record of 6-4 while going 6-4 vs the spread. The team's offense averaged 77 points per game in these contests.
Through their last five home games, Alabama has an ATS record of just 2-3. However, their overall record was 2-3 while averaging 89 points per game.
Going back to their last ten games as the underdog, the Bulldogs have a straight up record of 3-7. But, their mark vs the spread was just 5-5.
The Crimson Tide have played well in their last three games as the betting favorite, going 3-0 straight up and 3-0 against the spread.