The No.6-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide get together with the No.2-seeded Miami (FL) Hurricanes in the second round of the NIT tournament at BankUnited Center. The game starts at 11:00 am ET on Saturday, Mar. 21 and will air on ESPN.
The Hurricanes were victorious over North Carolina Central 75-71 in the first round. Tonye Jekiri played well in the loss for Miami (FL), recording 11 points and four rebounds to earn his 10th double-double of the season. The Crimson Tide, meanwhile, are coming off a 79-58 win over Illinois in the first round. Jimmie Taylor played well, recording 11 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
Half-court execution will be at a premium as Miami (FL) ranks 290th in the nation in possessions per game (63.5 possessions per game), while Alabama is 286th (63.6). Furthermore, getting to the line could play a crucial role for the Crimson Tide. They rank 30th in the nation in FTA rate (44.0). However, the Hurricanes are among the best in the nation at keeping opponents off the charity stripe (ranking 14th at 27.0).
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment. The Hurricanes enter the game with records of 22-12 Straight Up (SU) and 14-17-1 Against The Spread (ATS). Miami (FL) is excellent from the perimeter with 256 three-pointers made (8.0 per game), the 22nd-most in the country. Few teams in the nation have a higher assist-to-turnover ratio than Miami (FL), which ranks 33rd at 1.32.
Across the court, the Crimson Tide head into the game with records of 16-13-2 ATS and 19-14 SU.
This game marks the first time these teams will play this season. The last time Miami (FL) and Alabama played, Alabama won, moving its SU record against the Hurricanes to 1-0. Additionally, with a 1-0 record, Alabama has the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – MIA, ATS Winner – MIA
Notes
Miami is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games.
Miami is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games.
Miami is 2-8-1 ATS in its last 11 games at home.
Alabama won its last game by a one-point margin. In games decided by a margin of three points or less, Miami (FL) is 3-3. Alabama is 3-5 in close games this season.
The Alabama Crimson Tide average 63.6 possessions per game and 1.049 points per possession. The Miami (FL) Hurricanes earn fewer possessions with 63.5, but they score more points with 1.080.
Miami (FL) has an average effective field goal percentage of 51.1%. Alabama is an abysmal 1-8 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, Miami (FL) attempts 22.0 three pointers and Alabama attempts 20.5. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the Miami (FL) Hurricanes are 14-10 while the Alabama Crimson Tide have a winning 11-7 record.
Miami (FL) makes an average of 5.7 steals per game. When Alabama gives up 5 or more steals, the team has an even 9-9 record.
