SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE MATCHUP
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE VS MISSOURI TIGERS (-10)
Although Alabama fans will be rejoicing after their beloved football team wins the National Championship, they won’t be so happy with the result in this game. Missouri is 11-2 this season while Alabama enters at 8-5. The Tigers are fresh of their lowest scoring outing all season putting up only 66 points. I like them to explode offensively in this matchup, unlucky timing for the Crimson Tide.
Alabama started their season off right but have stumbled losing 5 of their last 7. This is the most complete team that they have faced all season and the highest in the national rankings. It should concern the Crimson Tide that the Tigers have been scoring machines this season. They are 30th in the country scoring 78.5 points per game and when they aren’t scoring, they are rebounding. Missouri is the #1 team in the nation averaging a total 46.7 rebounds per game.
When the Tigers aren’t scoring they are playing a solid defensive game. They have allowed only 3 teams to score more than 70 points this season and that trend should continue. Alabama has struggled offensively over the last couple weeks. In their last 7 games they have been scoring an average of only 60.8 points per game. They are in line to get blown out if they only reach 60 in this one; both losses the Tigers have suffered this season their opponents scored over 80 points.
Phil Pressey will be the man to follow in this matchup. He has been lights out for the Mizzou this year, averaging 13.8 PPG and 7.1 APG. As a junior he is leading this team from the guard position and could be the best passer in the SEC. His 7.1 assists per game is 2 assists more than the second best per game average in the entire conference. Look for him to find leading scorer Laurence Bowers (16.8 PPG) in open space with his passing skills. I expect for them to combine all night long, helping Missouri clinch their 12th win this season and improve to 9-1 at home this season.
TRENDS
CRIMSON TIDE
- 1-2 against the spread when playing on the road this season
- 8-12 agains the spread as an underdog in the last 3 seasons
TIGERS
- 4-2 against the spread when facing a team with a winning record this season
- 1-0 against the spread versus Alabama since 1997
- 41-3 straight up in all home games over their last 3 seasons
FINAL – ALABAMA 67 – MISSOURI 82