The Alabama Crimson Tide and Rutgers Scarlet Knights will compete in the Players Era Tournament's winner's bracket.
Each of these teams notched hard-fought wins last night, and my Rutgers vs. Alabama predictions expect a slow start offensively — particularly from the Tide.
Read more in my college basketball picks for Wednesday, November 27.
Rutgers vs Alabama prediction
My best bet
Alabama first half team total Under 41.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
I was surprised to see a total this high on the screen, as my model numbers were a bit different... but I won't complain. You can take an Alabama Under at your own risk, but this is a pretty good spot and an astronomically high number.
One of the situational elements of this game is how quickly Bama bounces back after such a physical game. Houston is different from any team in the country in terms of physicality.
The Cougars beat you up and break you down, which can leave some lingering effects. It happened to Auburn even multiple days after playing Houston when it posted one of its least efficient offensive numbers in a while. You can ask Head Coach Nate Oats if you don't believe me:
We knew it was gonna be a cage match. That's the toughest, hardest playing team in America pretty much every night out the last five years.
It doesn't get more pointed than that.
Outside of this, I think Rutgers can do an okay job of defending Alabama. As most know, the Tide are analytically focused and dedicated to shots beyond the arc or at the rim.
The Knights, under a tough-nosed head coach, are pretty sound in defending both of these things, grading out overall in the 50th percentile in both. That's a prerequisite for slowing down this Alabama offense.
Rutgers vs Alabama same-game parlay
Alabama first half team total Under 41.5
Dylan Harper 20+ points
Of note here is seemingly getting a price on this same-game parlay that is non-correlated because playing the Bama team total Over with this reduces it to +220. I don't think that's correct, but I will happily take advantage of it.
This is a volume play on Dylan Harper. His first game of the season against a Power Four opponent was last night, resulting in 36 points in 22 shots.
While I'm buying the market at the highest point, it's difficult to see him not reaching this number with how many shots he's likely to get in a game with so many transition opportunities.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Rutgers vs Alabama odds
Rutgers vs Alabama live odds
Rutgers vs Alabama opening odds
- Spread: Rutgers +10 (-110) | Alabama -10 (-110)
- Moneyline: Rutgers +450 | Alabama -600
- Over/Under: Over 161.5 (-110) | Under 161.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Rutgers vs Alabama betting trend to know
Rutgers has hit the game total Under in 20 of their last 33 games (+5.70 Units / 16% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Rutgers vs. Alabama.
How to watch Rutgers vs Alabama
| Location: | MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas, NV |
| Date: | Wednesday, 11-27-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 11:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TBS |
Rutgers vs Alabama key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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