Alabama vs Georgia Odds, Picks and Predictions: Bulldogs Slow Down Crimson Tide

The No. 24 Alabama Crimson Tide face off against the Georgia Bulldogs in SEC action tonight. This matchup might not have the panache of their college football rivalry, but it should still feature plenty of fireworks with Alabama boasting one of the top offenses in the country and UGA having a resurgent season.

The Tide are 6.5-point road favorites and the Over/Under of 166.5 is the second-highest on today's college basketball odds board. Here are my free college basketball picks for Alabama vs. Georgia on January 31.

Alabama vs Georgia best odds

Alabama vs Georgia picks and predictions

Both of these teams have identical 14-6 records, and while the Alabama Crimson Tide had the harder schedule, it's tough to justify them laying 6.5 points on the road here.

Keep in mind this high-scoring Tide team has been heavily reliant on 3-pointers, taking a whopping 47.7% of their shots from beyond the arc. However, while they shoot a sizzling 43.8% from deep at home, that number plummets to 33.1% on the road while the Georgia Bulldogs are holding opponents to 29.8% from beyond the arc at Stegeman Coliseum. 

The Tide are also efficient at attacking the rim (33rd per ShotQualityBets) but the Bulldogs do a good job of limiting shots at the rim and are 90th in efficiency at defending that area. 

Georgia's defense has gotten torched in two of its last three games — surrendering 102 points to Florida and 105 points against Kentucky — but those contests were on the road and the Bulldogs still covered both times. They've gone 10-1 at home with their only loss coming against No. 5 Tennessee in a tight contest where they had a lead until the final two minutes. 

Meanwhile, Alabama has looked vulnerable on the road. Falling to a highly-ranked Vols side two weeks ago in Knoxville is understandable, but getting blown out by 20 points was not a good look. Bama also lost on the road against Creighton in December and barely beat a terrible Vanderbilt team in Nashville earlier this month. 

Although the Bulldogs don't have anywhere near as much offensive firepower as the Tide, they do an excellent job of getting to the line (14th in free throw attempts per offensive play) and taking care of the ball while Alabama sits outside the Top 250 in opponent free throw rate and opponent turnover rate. Back the Dawgs to keep things close here. 

My best bet: Georgia +6.5 (-110 at bet365)

Alabama vs Georgia same-game parlay

Georgia +6.5

Mark Sears Over 20.5 points

Russell Tchewa Over 7.5 rebounds

+550 at bet365

Although I'm backing the Bulldogs to cover, I also like Alabama guard Mark Sears to have a good game and am taking the Over 20.5 on his points along with Georgia at +6.5 creates a nice parlay multiplier. Sears has scored at least 21 points in six of his last seven games, and with both teams playing at fast tempo he should get plenty of shot attempts tonight.

The speedy pace of both offenses combined with Alabama's modest shooting on the road and Georgia's poor shooting everywhere (43.4 FG%) will result in plenty of rebounding opportunities. Bulldogs center Russell Tchewa has been earning more playing time over the last month and has gone Over 7.5 boards in six of his last eight games. 

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Alabama vs Georgia spread and Over/Under analysis

This line opened with Alabama installed as a 5.5-point road favorite and the Over/Under at 165. Early money came in on the Tide and the Over with the spread shifting to -6.5 and the total climbing to 166.5.

The Tide are coming off a 109-88 win at home against LSU and have gone 8-1 SU and 6-2-1 ATS since losing to Arizona in Phoenix just before Christmas.

The Bulldogs are fresh off a 102-98 overtime loss against Florida. However, they still covered the spread as 8.5-point road underdogs in that contest and they're now 6-1 ATS in their last seven games. 

Georgia guard Justin Hill is listed as questionable for tonight's game and coach Mike White didn't seem optimistic in his availability when asked yesterday. Hill leads the team with 3.7 assists per game but his 37.7 FG% leaves much to be desired. 

Alabama vs Georgia betting trend to know

The Bulldogs are 6-0 ATS in their six games an underdog. Find more college basketball betting trends for Alabama vs. Georgia.

Alabama vs Georgia game info

Alabama vs Georgia key injuries

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