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Alabama vs. Charleston: 2024 NCAA Tournament Odds, Preview & Predictions

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March Madness is officially here! The 2024 NCAA Tournament Bracket has been announced, and the teams are lining up for the Big Dance. Let's take a look at the early odds, preview, and predictions for the 2024 NCAA Tournament game: Alabama vs. Charleston. And make sure to check out our 2024 NCAA Tournament Bracket Optimizer to take down your pools!

2024 NCAA Tournament Odds, Preview & Predictions: Alabama vs. Charleston

Here are odds and team previews for each of the two squads in this opening-round matchup of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

Alabama 2024 NCAA Tournament Preview

After ranking in the top 25 offensively and defensively last year, Alabama’s offense ranks in the top five while their defense… does not. Let’s start with the good. Alabama’s offense can easily be one of the most explosive in the league. With the third-fastest offensive possession rate, any player (most Mark Sears) can score 20-plus points a game. They’ve scored 100-plus points 10 different times this year, and it’s difficult to imagine how any team will prepare for such a dynamic offensive look. The bad is their defense.

You’d think 95 points against Kentucky would be enough to earn a victory, but allowing 117 is a recipe for losing any game, and they did just that. Alabama’s offense is exciting, but their ceiling is capped with a defensive efficiency ranking outside of the top 100. Their momentum, consistency, and away-from-home metrics all work against them, ranking 362nd in the momentum metric. Alabama enters the tournament going 2-4 in their final six games of the season, including barely scraping by Arkansas in overtime at home. Their neutral court play was unimpressive earlier this year, so there is a lot to be hesitant about for Nate Oats’ squad.

It would be a different story if they could bring any defense to the tournament. They have faced the single most difficult strength of schedule in terms of opposing offenses, so it does help that the Crimson Tide have seen the best of the best. But it is so hard to trust a team that lacks defense.

Charleston 2024 NCAA Tournament Preview

After Pat Kelsey led Charleston to a 31-4 record last year, the Cougars won the NCAA tournament to make their second consecutive NCAA Tournament. Now, they plan to redeem a first-round loss from a year ago with hopes of a Cinderella run. Charleston has a fun offense, with high three-point attempts and solid offensive rebounding numbers. Their frontcourt shines, with Ante Brzovic and Ben Burnham anchoring Charleston’s frontcourt, while Reyne Smith will attempt double-digit shots from deep in any game.

They can get hot, shooting nearly 40% from the perimeter. Where Charleston leaves more to be wanted is defensively. Ranking outside the top 150 in defensive efficiency, Charleston forces few turnovers and has an interior defense that allows opponents to shoot 65% near the rim, ranking 359th in the nation. That is not great. They may take care of the ball well but game planning for Charleston won’t be as difficult with their relatively straightforward look. High pacing is tough to face, and their bench gets a lot of minutes. Of course, they can get hot from deep and surprise in the tournament, but their defense needs to overperform to win some games.

Check out all of our 2024 NCAA Tournament Bracket & Betting Coverage >>

2024 NCAA Tournament Sports Betting Picks

Now that the 2024 NCAA Tournament brackets have been announced, it’s time to make your sports betting picks to increase the excitement of March Madness. Let's take a look at the early odds and picks for the 2024 NCAA Tournament

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2024 NCAA Tournament Bracket Pool Strategy & Picks

Below we provide strategy, advice, and picks to create the optimal NCAA Tournament bracket. And be sure to use our FREE bracket optimizer to build a winning men’s NCAA tournament bracket and take down your contest!

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