The SEC and the Big 12 have teamed up to create the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, splicing two of the nation’s conferences for midseason action. There will be many SEC/Big 12 Challenges on the slate today, but we’ll focus on the Baylor Bears against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
The Crimson Tide will welcome the Bears to Coleman Coliseum after losing to Georgia, 82-76, on the road, on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Baylor is 18-2 on the season and is currently back to its winning ways after losing two straight.
Will Baylor falter on the road in a tough environment in Alabama? Here are our college basketball picks and predictions for Baylor vs. Alabama on Saturday, January 29.
Baylor vs Alabama odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
Baylor opened up as a 2-point favorite against Alabama. Baylor is currently -3.5. However, you can still find Baylor at -3 at a couple of books. On the other hand, the total hasn’t moved since opening up at 150.5.
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.
Baylor vs Alabama predictions
Predictions made on 1/29/2022 at 9:10 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Baylor vs Alabama game info
• Location: Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, AB
• Date: Saturday, January 29, 2022
• Tip-off: 4:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
Baylor at Alabama betting preview
Injuries
Baylor: James Akinjo G (Questionable), Langston Love G (Out).
Alabama: Darius Miles F (Out), Juwan Gary F (Questionable), Nimari Burnett (Out).
Find our latest NCAA basketball injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Crimson Tide are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six games as an underdog. Find more NCAA betting trends for Baylor vs. Alabama.
Baylor vs Alabama 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
The Alabama Crimson Tide have struggled recently, losing four of their last six games. In those games, Alabama took losses to Missouri and Georgia, which is pretty much unacceptable for this program.
But then again, Alabama has wins over LSU, Tennessee, Houston, and Gonzaga and has the opportunity to knock off Baylor.
Baylor is currently one of the best teams in the nation. According to KenPom, the Baylor Bears have a Top-10 offense and defense. On offense, Baylor is shooting an effective field goal percentage of 55.2% while earning 37.8% offensive rebounds.
The Bears won’t get to the line at a high rate, but they still score efficiently elsewhere. Baylor is knocking down 36.5% threes and 55.5% from inside the arc.
Alabama, on the other hand, hasn’t been terrific defensively. Opponents are shooting an effective field goal percentage of 49.2%, while the Crimson Tide struggle to earn turnovers and earn defensive rebounds. The opposition is grabbing 30.9% offensive rebounds against Alabama this season.
Still, the Crimson Tide have held opponents to 31.3% from deep but have also allowed teams to hit 50.6% inside the arc on the season.
The best way for Alabama to win this game is by shooting at a high clip. So far this season, Alabama has been ice cold from three. The Crimson Tide are shooting 30.9% from deep but have also hit 56.8% from inside the arc. Inside, Alabama has no problems and if shots fall from the outside, Alabama is as dangerous as it gets and can beat any team in the country.
The Crimson Tide have grabbed 36.4% offensive rebounds and will be just as good on the glass as Baylor will be on the offensive end.
Meanwhile, the Bears have held teams to 29.4% from deep and 47.6% from inside the arc. Baylor is also earning a ton of turnovers at 25.2% and continues to limit fouls.
It’s going to be a tough game for both of these teams. But again, if Alabama can get in a rhythm from long range at home, the Crimson Tide should be able to cover the spread and potentially win this game outright.
Prediction: Alabama +3.5 (-110)
Over/Under analysis
I’ve mentioned Alabama needing to score at a high rate to win this game. So, if I like Alabama to shoot at a high rate, I absolutely like this game to go Over the total.
The total is currently sitting at 150.5 and we would need both teams to essentially reach 75 points for this game to go Over.
Alabama is scoring 81.1 points per game while Baylor is scoring 78.7 points per game. Baylor’s defense is much better than Alabama’s, but again, I like Alabama to shoot at a high rate in this game at home to stick around.
So, the Over looks like the play here.
Prediction: Over 150.5 (-110)
Best bet
In these spots, I love rocking with the home team. Baylor is coming off massive wins against West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Kansas State, but had two losses to Texas Tech and Oklahoma State previously.
Plus, we’ve seen Alabama at its best. When the Crimson Tide were in a groove, they knocked off Gonzaga by scoring 91 points and dropped 83 points on Houston.
In a high-scoring game, I like Alabama to come out on top.
Pick: Alabama +3.5 (-110)
Did you know that if you parlayed our Baylor vs. Alabama picks, you could win $26.45 on a $10 bet?
Use our college basketball parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
