The Alabama basketball gauntlet continues on Thursday as the Crimson Tide plays host to No. 2 Purdue. The Crimson Tide passed its first test of the season with flying colors, beating St. John's 103-96 in Madison Square Garden last weekend.
That win moved Alabama up to No. 8 in the AP Poll this week, but they're a lot higher in the eyes of the oddsmakers. Despite the Boilermakers being ranked six spots ahead of the Crimson Tide, Nate Oats and Alabama are the surprising favorites tomorrow night at home.
FanDuel released the opening line on Wednesday, with Alabama opening as 3.5-point favorites.
Alabama came into the season flying under the radar at No. 15, with not many expecting them to be able to go on the road and beat St. John's. Had they not, they would undoubtedly be underdogs against Purdue, even in Coleman Coliseum.
Alabama basketball a small favorite over Purdue
If it surprises you to see Alabama favored over No. 2, it shouldn't. This team showcased its firepower against St. John's. Guard play is king in college basketball, and perhaps nobody in college basketball has the level of guard play the Crimson Tide has. Labaron Philon, Aden Holloway, and Latrell Wrightsell are a lethal offensive trio, and with Holloway's improvement on the defensive end of the court, Nate Oats will be able to play the three guards together consistently without getting destroyed on that end of the court.
Philon's game has expanded since his freshman season. He's more comfortable as an outside shooter, and there won't be many guards in the country who can keep him from getting to the rim.
The same is true of Holloway, except in reverse. The junior was one of the nation's best shooters a season ago, but has now expanded his game to be able to get to the rim and finish at a high clip.
Then there's Wrightsell, who is as good of a shooter as you will find in college basketball. That trio will serve to overwhelm backcourts all season long.
Purdue brings an experienced and battle-tested group to Tuscaloosa that will not be intimidated by the environment in Coleman Coliseum. The Boilermakers have a backcourt that can match the Crimson Tide's, buoyed by experienced guards in Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer.
The biggest test for Alabama will be in the frontcourt, however, especially with Purdue expected to get back Trey Kaufman-Renn for Thursday's matchup. Kaufman-Renn gave the Tide fits last season, and South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff is also a load to deal with down low.
With freshman Collins Onyejiaka indefinitely sidelined and Tarleton State transfer forward Keitenn Bristow still out with an injury, it'll be imperative for bigs Noah Williamson and Aiden Sherrell, along with forward Taylor Bol Bowen, to be productive and stay out of foul trouble.