Alabama vs. North Carolina 2024 NCAA Tournament Odds & Picks: Sweet 16 (Thursday)
Four teams enter the West Regional on Thursday dreaming of a trip to Phoenix and Final Four. North Carolina, Arizona, Alabama, and Clemson have all impressed greatly last weekend to reach Los Angeles. Only two of these teams will move onto the Elite Eight Saturday with the hopes of a Final Four trip. Let's take a closer look at the matchups.
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2024 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
#4 Alabama Crimson Tide vs #1 North Carolina Tar Heels
The Tar Heels have looked incredibly impressive on their way to the Sweet 16. Big wins over Wagner and Michigan State really showcased their talent. They'll match up with an Alabama team that is one of the most successful offensive squads in the country. These are two teams that love to get up and down the court and shoot the ball well. Expect a high-flying affair in this one.
North Carolina has excelled offensively in this tournament scoring 90 and 85 in their two games offensively, but it was the defense that really stepped up when needed to put the gas down against Michigan State. They force tough shots and rebound exceptionally well. Their one weakness is a lack of turnovers forced, but when it comes to tough shotmaking, Alabama is one of the best in the country. Their 56.7% eFG% is top 10 in the nation. The Tar Heel defense will be facing one of their toughest tests.
On the other side of the court, the North Carolina offense will be a handful for Alabama's defense. The Crimson Tide are one of the few teams left in this tournament with a defense ranked outside of the KenPom top 100 in adjusted defensive rating. They don't turn their opponents over and they send them to the foul line. For a senior-laden team led by RJ Davis and Armando Bacot, this could mean a big scoring night.
Both of these teams will want to get out and push the pace. North Carolina's defense has been elite this season, but Alabama's offense can be a difficult task to defend. Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide defense is going to have major difficulties with this experienced Tar Heel attack. This could end up one of the most exciting games of the tournament so far.
Pick: Over 173.5 Total Points (-110)
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