The highly anticipated Elite Eight matchup will take place on Friday night, featuring a thrilling clash between the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils and the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide. With a coveted spot in the Final Four on the line, both teams are eager to secure their place in college basketball history. Duke, boasting an impressive record of 34-3, is riding a remarkable 14-game winning streak and is fresh off a nail-biting 100-93 victory against No. 4 Arizona in the Sweet 16. Meanwhile, Alabama (28-8) showcased their offensive prowess by overwhelming No. 6 BYU with a remarkable 113-88 win, where they set a March Madness record with 25 successful 3-point attempts.
This matchup marks the 10th all-time meeting between the Duke Blue Devils and Alabama Crimson Tide, with Duke holding a commanding 8-1 advantage in the series. Fans can look forward to the game, which is set to tip off at 8:49 p.m. ET from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The latest odds from SportsLine consensus indicate that the Blue Devils are 6.5-point favorites against the Crimson Tide, with an over/under of 174.5 total points expected for the game.
Before placing any bets on the Duke vs. Alabama game, it’s crucial to consider the insights from SportsLine expert Bruce Marshall. Currently enjoying a hot streak with a 97-68-1 record (+2151) on his college basketball picks, Marshall has his eyes set on this electrifying matchup. Those who have followed his predictions have seen substantial returns. Visit SportsLine now to discover his expert picks for the Duke vs. Alabama game.
As for the teams' performance against the spread this season, Alabama holds a 21-15 record, while Duke stands at 24-13 in the 2024-25 season.
The Crimson Tide's recent performance is nothing short of spectacular. Coming off a dominant win against BYU, where they established a new NCAA Tournament record for made 3-pointers, Alabama is proving to be a formidable opponent. Averaging 91.4 points per game, they lead the nation in scoring. Additionally, Alabama excels on both ends of the court, ranking first in Division I for total rebounds and defensive rebounds per game, limiting opponents' second-chance opportunities. Despite Duke's strengths, the Blue Devils have struggled with offensive rebounding, ranking 167th nationally. Alabama's recent success against SEC teams, especially their dominance over Kentucky, suggests they could pose a serious threat to Duke.
While Alabama boasts the highest-scoring offense, Duke possesses the top-ranked offensive efficiency in college basketball. The Blue Devils excel in shooting, ranking in the top 15 nationally in various shooting metrics, including field goal, 2-point, and 3-point percentages. Duke's disciplined play is evident as they rank in the top 10 for fewest turnovers per game, which is critical in high-stakes matchups like this one. Furthermore, Duke's defense is a significant advantage, allowing only 62.5 points per game, compared to Alabama’s alarming 81.2 points allowed per game, ranking them 356th out of 364 teams. With players like Cooper Flagg and Khaman Maluach anchoring their defense, Duke is well-equipped to challenge Alabama's scoring capabilities.
As the anticipation builds for this Elite Eight showdown, Bruce Marshall's analysis suggests a lean towards the Over on the total points. He has also identified a critical X-factor that could sway the outcome of the game. For those interested in making informed bets, be sure to check out Marshall's picks at SportsLine.
