The #9 vs. #8 match up in the Midwest Region between Creighton and Alabama is a good one with a couple of teams with contrasting styles and the winner will likely have the unenviable task of taking on North Carolina in the round of 32. <\/p>\n
Venue\/ Stadium: Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC<\/strong> Matchup<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Preview<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Alabama (9) vs Creighton (8) Preview<\/strong><\/p>\n NCAAB Lines have Alabama as slight 1.5-point favorites in this game with a total of 132.5.<\/p>\n In their last games of the season Creighton beat Illinois State 83-79 in TO while Alabama lost to Florida 66-63.<\/p>\n This season Creighton is 15-14 ATS with an O\/U record of 15-12-2 and Alabama is 13-15 ATS with an O\/U record of 15-13.<\/p>\n Creighton ended the season on a 7-game winning streak including winning the Missouri Valley Conference tourney, but they did not face one ranked team this season while Alabama played a much tougher schedule playing in the SEC.<\/p>\n This match up pits Creighton and their offense, which ranks 7th in the nation in scoring and 1st in the nation in team FG% facing Alabama and their defense, which ranks 9th in the nation in opponents’ points allowed.<\/p>\n The Alabama defense has one main goal in this game and that is try to contain Creighton All American F Doug McDermott (23.2 ppg 8.2 rpg), who nearly shot 50% from behind the 3-point arc. How he goes the Bluejays go and if Bama and their solid D can keep him from having a big game and if they can do that the Tide will be in good shape. [soliloquy id=”82219″]<\/p>\n Since The Tide will key on McDermott Antoine Young (12.5 ppg) and Gregory Echenique (9.8 ppg) will have to help him out in the scoring department.<\/p>\n The Tide are led by F JaMychal Green (14 ppg 7.4 rpg), who leads the team in scoring and rebounding. He and F Tony Mitchell (13.1 ppg 7 rpg) give Alabama a legit frontcourt tandem that can score and rebound. However, the guards for the Tide may be more key in this game. Creighton plays an up-tempo game and if Alabama can slow the pace of the game and make it a half court contest they should come out on top.<\/p>\n In some betting trends for this Midwest Region 2nd round match up Alabama is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games, 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record, and they have an Under record of 5-1 in their last 6 games as a favorite.<\/p>\n Creighton is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall, 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record, and they have an Over record of 6-2 in their last 8 games.<\/p>\n
\nTime\/Date: 1:40 PM EST Friday, March 16, 2012<\/strong>
\nNCAA Odds From: Bovada<\/a><\/strong>
\nMoneyline: OFF<\/strong>
\nSpread (ATS): Alabama -1.5 <\/strong>
\nOver\/Under: 132.5<\/strong><\/p>\n