NCAAB: #4 Alabama vs #1 North Carolina Odds, and Picks (Mar 28)

• Alabama held off a surging Grand Canyon team, winning 72-61, and making the Sweet 16.
• North Carolina defeated Michigan State in the 2nd round, winning by a score of 85-69.
• These two teams last faced off on November 27, 2022, in a game that Alabama won 103-101.

The NCAA Tournament has made the Sweet 16! Let’s take a look at this matchup between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the North Carolina Tar Heels. This should be a high-scoring matchup between two solid teams capable of making a Final Four run.

How to Watch

• CBS

Preview

Alabama surged ahead to another Sweet 16 berth, defeating Charleston and Grand Canyon in the process. In their first-round game, the Crimson Tide saw their typical result, coasting past 100 points while allowing the opposition to also tally 90+ points of their own. Nonetheless, they won 109-96 and advanced to the second round. Their next game against Grand Canyon was a bit different, taking on a more defensive tone. Alabama pulled away late, but struggled to avoid fouling the physical Antelopes.

North Carolina looked susceptible to a popularly picked Michigan State upset early on in their second-round game. However, they pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Spartans 61-41 over the final 25 minutes. The Tar Heels have been flying a bit under the radar as the least picked 1-seed, but have the talent and experience to make a deep run. They’ll need that experience against an Alabama offense that has the ability to leave opponents in the dust. Armando Bacot’s interior defense will be key.

Prediction

This should be a high-scoring contest between two experienced teams with capable offenses. The key will be North Carolina’s defense, which ranks considerably higher than Alabama’s. If the Tar Heels can scheme Mark Sears out of the game, they’ll have a chance at slowing the Crimson Tide down. Combined with their own high-paced offense, and North Carolina should be set up well to win this game. On the other hand, if Alabama gets hot, they could easily run away with it. I’ll take UNC to win a close one.

NCAAB Picks:

• North Carolina 92, Alabama 86 (UNC -4.5)