Alabama basketball is the in the Elite Eight for the second consecutive season, hoping that its hot shooting against BYU in the Sweet 16 rolls over to the Saturday's Regional Final against an elite Duke squad that currently has the highest Net Rating in the history of KenPom.
The Crimson Tide got here after a tougher than expected first round matchup with Robert Morris, a win over Saint Mary's where they were never seriously pushed, and then a record-setting performance from three in a blowout of BYU. Alabama connected on an NCAA Tournament record 25 threes in the win over the Cougars.
It's not realistic to expect the Tide to have a similar shooting night against an elite defensive team in Duke, but the Crimson Tide will need to play at an elite level to have a chance at knocking off Cooper Flagg and company and getting back to the Final Four for the second consecutive season.
Nate Oats will have his team oozing with confidence against Duke. Alabama will come into Saturday night's matchup at the Prudential Center expecting to win. Expecting to win and actually winnning are two different things and it will take a monumental effort from Mark Sears and company for the Tide to topple the Devils.
How to watch Alabama vs. Duke in the Elite Eight
Tip Time: 7:49 PM CT
TV: TBS/TruTV
Streaming: FuboTV
Betting Odds:
Odds courtesy of FanDuel
Spread: Alabama +6.5
Over/Under: 172.5
Prediction:
Duke presents a ton of challenges for Alabama, and, really, anyone that they play. The Blue Devils' entire starting five is 6-foot-6 or taller and that length will cause issues for Alabama's smaller guards.
Cooper Flagg is the best player in the country and Duke flanks him with three capable shooters in the starting five in Kon Knuepppel, Tyrese Proctor, and Sion James. Khaman Maluach is one of the best rim protectors and rebounders in the country on the interior.
Duke is top five in KenPom in both offensive and defensive efficiency. They are the highest-rated team of the KenPom era for a reason and it will take Alabama's best game of the season to win this game.
Alabama has one advantage and that's depth; Jon Scheyer only really plays seven guys real minutes and at the frentic pace the Crimson Tide wants to play in, that will be tough for the heavy minutes Duke's main guys get.
If Alabama can control the pace and force Duke into an up-tempo game, then the Tide has a chance of wearing them down and stealing one late.
Alabama certainly has a chance to win this game, but it's hard to make that leap when you look at the numbers. Anything can happen in a one game setting, but the Blue Devils are the better team here.