Alabama vs North Dakota Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/18/24

The Alabama Crimson Tide are visiting the North Dakota Fighting Hawks on Wednesday, December 18th at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Alabama Crimson Tide vs North Dakota Fighting Hawks Prediction.

North Dakota Fighting Hawks Preview

The North Dakota Fighting Hawks have a 4-8 record this season and are coming off an 85-95 loss to UTSA. The Fighting Hawks are 6-5 against the spread, and 7-4 in over/under while having a 1-1 home record.

Offensively, North Dakota is averaging 71.6 points per game, which ranks 270th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 77.3 points per game (307th). The Fighting Hawks shoot 40.4% from the field (343rd) and 29.8% from beyond the arc (326th). The Fighting Hawks shoot 66.8% from the free-throw line (301st) and are grabbing 39.8 rebounds per game (58th).

Treysen Eaglestaff leads North Dakota in scoring this season, with 18.6 points and 3.3 rebounds, while Mier Panoam adds 11.3 points and 4.7 rebounds.

Alabama Crimson Tide Preview

The Alabama Crimson Tide have an 8-2 record this season and are coming off an 83-75 win over Creighton. The Crimson Tide are 4-6 against the spread, and 3-6-1 in over/under, while they have a 1-1 road record. 

Offensively, Alabama is averaging 88.6 points per game, which is the 5th-best in the nation. Defensively, they allow 77.8 points per game (318th). The Crimson Tide shoot 46.7% from the field (118th) and 31.7% from beyond the arc (266th). The Crimson Tide shoot 73.2% from the free-throw line (129th) and are grabbing 43.7 rebounds per game, which is the 6th-best in the nation.

Mark Sears leads Alabama in scoring, with an average of 17.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and a team-high 4 assists. Grant Nelson adds 12.2 points and a team-high 8 rebounds. Alabama will face Kent State, South Dakota State, and Oklahoma after this one.

Why the North Dakota Fighting Hawks will win

• North Dakota has won each of its last three games at Betty Engelstad Sioux Center following a home loss.
• North Dakota has won the first half in each of its last four night games at Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.

Why the Alabama Crimson Tide will win

• North Dakota has lost each of its last 19 Wednesday games.
• Alabama has won eight of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• North Dakota has lost the first half in each of its last five games against AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Nineteen of North Dakota’s last 21 night games at Betty Engelstad Sioux Center have produced a total of 164 or fewer points.
• Five of Alabama’s last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 167 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Alabama ranks 5th among Division 1 teams for points per game this season (88.6).
• Alabama ranks 7th among Division 1 teams for rebounds per game this season (43.6).

Alabama Crimson Tide vs North Dakota Fighting Hawks Prediction

In this Alabama Crimson Tide vs North Dakota Fighting Hawks Prediction, Alabama is coming as a -25.5 road favorites. Alabama is better offensively, scoring 17 points more than North Dakota, while North Dakota is better defensively, allowing 0.5 points less. The Crimson Tide are winning by an average of 10.8 points per game, while the Hawks are losing by an average of 5.7 points. The Hawks are struggling mightily with their shooting this season, as they rank in the bottom 20 in field goal percentage and in the bottom 40 in 3-point percentage. Alabama is also the 6th-best rebounding team nationally, so expect them to lock this game and get away with the road victory. Take the Alabama Crimson Tide and lay the points on the road.