The Alabama Crimson Tide are 6-1 on the season and will take on a Gonzaga Bulldogs team that is 7-1 on the year in a semi-road game at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.
The Bulldogs’ only loss of the season came against Duke. Meanwhile, Alabama has a loss to an Iona school that essentially isn’t a Top-100 team. Since that loss, the Crimson Tide have rebounded with Top-100 wins over Drake and Miami.
Here are our college basketball picks and predictions for the Battle in Seattle matchup between Alabama and Gonzaga on Saturday, December 4.
Alabama vs Gonzaga odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Gonzaga opened as an 8.5-point favorite and has since been bet up to -9.5 at most outlets. Meanwhile, the total has stayed the same since opening at 160.5 at most outlets.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until tip-off and be sure to check out the full college basketball odds before placing your bets.
Alabama vs Gonzaga predictions
Predictions made on 12/4/2021 at 7:40 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Alabama vs Gonzaga game info
• Location: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA
• Date: Saturday, December 4, 2021
• Tip-off: 8:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN2
Alabama at Gonzaga betting preview
Injuries
Alabama: Nimari Burnett G (Out), James Rojas F (Out).
Gonzaga: Dominick Harris G (Out), Kaden Perry F (Questionable).
Find our latest NCAA basketball injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Crimson Tide are 6-0 ATS in their last six games as an underdog of 7.0-12.5. Find more NCAA betting trends for Alabama vs. Gonzaga.
Alabama vs Gonzaga picks and predictions
Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.
Spread analysis
Things are about to get really difficult for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Not only will Alabama have to take on Gonzaga tonight, but also, they’ll have to play Houston next week and Memphis right afterward.
Personally, I don’t believe in look-ahead spots. I take every game one at a time and try not to worry about what’s next. Alabama has what it takes offensively to stick around in this contest.
The Crimson Tide are shooting an effective field goal percentage of 56% and should be able to limit turnovers. Alabama is also averaging 36.3% offensive rebounds and has knocked down 34.2% of threes while also hitting 59.8% of shots inside the arc.
Despite not shooting well at the line, Alabama should be able to get plenty of shots up in what should also be a fast-paced game between both teams.
Alabama is led by Jaden Shackelford, who is averaging 18 points per game with 6.4 rebounds in 31.4 minutes. He figures to be a key piece in this game if Alabama wants any chance at winning.
Meanwhile, Gonzaga’s offense is even more electric. The Bulldogs have the highest adjusted offensive efficiency in the league with an effective field goal percentage of 60.5%. Gonzaga is literally shooting 66.6% inside the arc and they’ve faced tough teams in the paint like Duke, UCLA, and Texas.
Drew Timme is one of the major reasons for Gonzaga’s success inside, as he’s averaging 17.4 points per game in just 26.4 minutes per game.
Still, Gonzaga is only shooting 33.3% from downtown and will have to try to get open looks against an Alabama team that has held opponents to just 25.3% from long range this season. There’s a good chance Alabama hits more threes in this game.
Neither team is exceptional when it comes to forcing turnovers, and both teams are in the Top 5 nationally in field goal percentage inside the arc.
This is a tighter game than some might think. Give me the points with Alabama.
Prediction: Alabama +9.5 (-110)
Over/Under analysis
When you see a total nearing 160, it’s time to take the Under.
Alabama is holding opponents to just 25.3% from long range, and while Gonzaga will have success inside the arc, two is less than three.
Meanwhile, opponents have struggled to score early against Gonzaga, and likewise, teams are using 18.1 seconds per possession offensively against the Crimson Tide.
Alabama will surely move the ball a bit quicker than some of the Bulldogs’ recent opponents, but the Gonzaga defense should be able to limit transition buckets for the most part.
Prediction: Under 160.5 (-110)
Best bet
I’m sticking with Alabama. It all comes down to the offense. If Alabama doesn’t hit shots on the road, of course, they’re going to lose. But this also isn’t a true home game for Gonzaga either.
Defensively, Alabama has done just as well as Gonzaga has this season. The only thing Gonzaga has on Alabama is defense inside the arc, but Alabama is going to take more long-range jumpers in comparison to Gonzaga.
Let’s roll with Alabama to cover. Pun intended.
Pick: Alabama +9.5 (-110)
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Use our college basketball parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
