The LSU Tigers (+3,000 to win the national title) have made their way to the top of the SEC standings, and they have no plans of going down from it. They need to tack in more wins, though, to assure themselves of that. As for the Alabama Crimson Tide (+50,000), a win over LSU would not only avenge their loss to the Tigers earlier this year, but also give their March resume a huge boost.
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Betting Preview for the LSU Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide College Basketball Game on March 2, 2019
Where: Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa
When: Saturday, March 2, 2019, 12:00 PM ET
Line: LSU Tigers (odds) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (odds) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the LSU Tigers (23-5 Overall / 13-2 Conference)
The Tigers have seemingly developed an involuntary habit of engaging in cardiac arrest moments in crucial moments of games lately. The latest, as of this writing, was their 82-80 overtime home win over the No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers. It was a gritty win that showed the resiliency of the Tigers. For one, they played without their best player in point guard Tremont Waters, who sat out with an unspecified illness. LSU was again without Waters against the Texas A&M Aggies on Tuesday. They took at 36-20 lead into the second half, but lifted their foot off the gas as Texas owned the second half 35-30, but it was enough of an offensive effort from the Tigers to deliver another win for LSU (66-55), with five players hitting double-digits. LSU is getting it done even without their PG.
Waters’ availability for the Alabama game is more likely and LSU couldn’t be happier. The point guard came out big in the Tigers’ 88-79 home win over the Crimson Tide at home last month in which he scored 19 points to go with seven assists. LSU, however, has to take better care of the ball this time around, as it had 16 turnovers against ‘Bama. Conversely, the Tigers are fifth in the SEC with a 20.7 defensive turnover percentage.
LSU is 6-2 against the spread (ATS) in road games this season.
Betting on the Alabama Crimson Tide (17-11 Overall / 8-7 Conference)
Alabama ended a three-game losing streak with a 68-61 home win over the Vanderbilt Commodores last Saturday at home. Despite the win, the Crimson Tide’s offense still seemed funky. They shot just 42.1 percent from the field against Vandy, though, they drained nine 3-pointers on 24 attempts. In other words, the Crimson Tide will have to be more efficient with their shots inside the arc. Alabama added to the win column again on Tuesday, after beating South Carolina by a nearly identical score, 68-62. Four players hit for double-digits even though it was a lower scoring affair.
In the loss to LSU this season, ‘Bama went 18-for-38 on their two-point shots for a 47.4 percent shooting. Alabama is averaging 73.5 points per game this season, but the team has put up just 59.0 points over their last three games prior to a date with the South Carolina Gamecocks this Tuesday on the road. The Tigers like to disrupt opposing passing lanes and play sticky defense on ball handlers, so the Crimson Tide will have to be patient and especially focused this weekend in Tuscaloosa. Kira Lewis Jr., who leads the Crimson Tide with 14.2 points per game, had 15 points in the LSU game, but shot just 3-for-11 from the field.
Alabama is 5-4-1 ATS in its last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
LSU wins, 78-76.
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