Alabama vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi March Madness Betting Guide

Alabama had to wait and see who its first-round opponent was going to be, but it won’t make much difference. Alabama vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi has all the makings of a first-round blowout. The sportsbook agrees, as the Crimson Tide are 23-point favorites over the Islanders.

The total on the game is 156.5. Alabama is the No. 1 seed in the South Region and after Tuesday’s win against Southeast Missouri, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi became the No. 16 seed. The game will be played Thursday at 2:45 p.m. at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. CBS will broadcast the game.

Alabama: No. 1 Overall Seed For Good Reason

The Alabama Crimson Tide is the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. If they’re not the best team in college basketball, the Crimson Tide is definitely in the conversation. Alabama is No. 20 in adjusted offensive efficiency and No. 3 on defense. The weaknesses on this Alabama team are few and far between.

Alabama is making its 24th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and this is the third straight year for the Crimson Tide to be here. Alabama advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2021 but no doubt have its goals set higher this season.

How They Got Here

There was no doubt Alabama would be playing in the tournament over the last couple of months. The Tide were never ranked worse than No. 17 in Ken Pomeroy’s power ratings. Alabama breezed through the SEC tournament, winning all three games by double digits, which helped solidify the No. 1 seed.

Alabama finished the season by covering all three games in the conference tournament to finish 19-14-1 on the season. The Crimson Tide had dropped four straight games against the number heading into the SEC tournament.

How Far Will They Go

The Crimson Tide are the co-favorites to win the tournament, with the March Madness odds on Alabama sitting at +600. Houston is also at +600. Alabama is -105 to reach the Elite 8, so anything less than a Final Four appearance is going to be a letdown for the team.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi: Islanders Get Ugly Win vs SEMO

The Islanders didn’t play their best game in Tuesday’s play-in against Southeast Missouri. But they did play well enough to win, even if backers had to sweat out the ending. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi couldn’t shoot from the field but were 27 for 35 from the foul line. Foul shooting is a strength of the team and it paid off in the First Four game.

This is the third trip to the NCAA Tournament for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The Islanders previously competed in 2007 and again last year, when they lost a First Four contest.

How They Got Here

After winning the Southland Conference tournament, the Islanders had to play a First Four game against Southeast Missouri State and the team pulled out a 75-71 win. Corpus Christi didn’t shoot well but a 9 for 20 effort from SEMO at the foul line helped the Islanders advance to the main bracket.

With their win Tuesday, the Islanders have now won 13 of their last 14 games, which also includes the tournament championship. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi just snuck in there to cover the spread against Southeast Missouri, giving the Islanders an 11-3 run and 18-12 on the season.

How Far Will They Go

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi made up for last season’s First Four loss and now gets another game. That’s the good news for the Islanders. The bad news is they now play Alabama and can pack their bags for the return trip home. Alabama is simply too talented for the Islanders.

Handicapping the Game

Alabama vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi could get ugly. The Islanders don’t have anybody who can put up the college basketball player stats like Brandon Miller. Alabama is deep and Alabama is good, playing at a torrid pace to take advantage of favorable matchups.

But covering a 23-point spread is a different story, as the Tide can cruise to the win and fall a bit short in covering the number. But it’s hard to imagine Alabama not winning by more than 20 points. They are that much better offensively and defensively. The Tide should feast on the inside defense of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Alabama vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is tough to call as far as the total goes. The Tide will get their points, The Islanders may not. Alabama minus the points looks to be the way to go in this one.

Can’t get enough? Here’s more!

• Indiana vs Kent State March Madness Betting Preview
• Gonzaga Bulldogs vs Grand Canyon Antelopes: March Madness Betting Preview
• Michigan State vs Southern California March Madness Betting Preview: Spartans Slight Fave
• Miami vs Drake March Madness Betting Preview
• UConn Huskies vs Iona Gaels March Madness Betting Guide