Rutgers vs. Alabama: Picks, Predictions and Odds

Feast Week is packed with thrilling college basketball matchups, and this year’s inaugural Players Era Festival – Impact Tournament adds even more excitement to the slate.

Featuring some of the top programs in the country, this event offers fans an opportunity to watch elite talent on both sides of the court.

One of the headline games of Day 2 is Rutgers vs. Alabama, tipping off at 10 PM ET on TBS. Both teams come into this matchup with momentum, having survived overtime battles on Tuesday.

Alabama, ranked #9 in the AP Poll, outlasted #7 Houston 85-80, while Rutgers needed a last-second stop to edge Notre Dame 85-84.

With both teams on short rest and featuring contrasting styles, this matchup promises to be a fascinating clash. Let’s break it down.

Rutgers vs. Alabama betting picks and predictions

Alabama -10 (-110)

Alabama is coming into this matchup looking every bit like a top-10 team, displaying a depth and firepower that few teams in the country can match. Their victory over Houston showcased their ability to overcome adversity against an elite defensive team. Mark Sears, who was scoreless in the Tide’s 100-87 win over Illinois, bounced back with a 24-point performance, while the supporting cast of Grant Nelson, Latrell Wrightsell Jr., and sophomores Mouhamed Dioubate and Aden Holloway shone.

Meanwhile, Rutgers enters this game with two rising stars, future top-10 NBA Draft picks freshmen Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, but the Scarlet Knights have struggled with consistency early in the season. Their shocking loss to Kennesaw State exposed some vulnerabilities. Against Alabama, those issues could be magnified, as the Crimson Tide excels at attacking the basket, shooting an elite 64.9% on two-point attempts. 

And, while Alabama has struggled to shoot the three out of the gate this year, Notre Dame exposed Rutgers’ lacking three-point defense, as the Fighting Irish converted 42.4% from deep on 33 attempts. The Tide showed signs of life against Houston, clicking on 36.7% from long range, and with the talented shooters they have, you bet Nate Oats and his team will take advantage of three-point attempts. 

Alabama’s pace and athleticism could also overwhelm Rutgers in transition, as the Scarlet Knights rank just 85th in adjusted defensive efficiency. While Rutgers may try to slow the game down, Alabama’s depth and versatility should prove too much for a team reliant on two freshmen to carry the scoring load.

Playing on back-to-back days favors Alabama, a team loaded with experienced upperclassmen who have played in tournament settings before. Rutgers, while talented, lacks the same experience and depth, making it hard to see them keeping this game close for 40 minutes.

Over 162.5 (-110)

This matchup has all the ingredients for a high-scoring affair. Both teams rank in the top 50 in offensive pace, and Alabama’s offense is the third-most efficient in the nation, according to KenPom. The Crimson Tide has been able to push the tempo in nearly every game they’ve played this season, and their ability to score in transition could wear down Rutgers, especially late in the second half.

Rutgers, for its part, has shown it can put up points when needed. Harper is living up to his hype as a potential top-five NBA draft pick, dropping 36 points in the win over Notre Dame. Harper’s ability to attack the rim and create his own shot makes Rutgers dangerous offensively, even against an Alabama defense that ranks 37th in adjusted efficiency.

Both teams showed in their opening-round games that defense might take a backseat in this tournament setting. Alabama put up 85 points against Houston’s elite defense, while Rutgers allowed 84 points to Notre Dame, a team far less talented than Alabama. With both squads playing on short rest and likely battling fatigue, we could see defensive intensity drop even further, leading to a fast-paced, high-scoring game.

Additionally, Rutgers has struggled to defend the perimeter, allowing opponents to take and make plenty of three-point attempts. Alabama, despite shooting just 31.8% from beyond the arc so far this season, has too many capable shooters to stay cold for long. If the Crimson Tide starts hitting from deep, this game could soar past the total.

This matchup between Rutgers and Alabama highlights the excitement of Feast Week, pitting one of the deepest teams in the nation against a program on the rise led by two future NBA players. While Rutgers will likely keep it competitive early, Alabama’s depth, experience and ability to score in transition should allow the Crimson Tide to pull away in the second half. Expect plenty of points and a high-energy game as these two teams battle under the bright lights of Las Vegas.

Read more betting picks and predictions for College Basketball on site.

Rutgers vs. Alabama odds

Rutgers	+425 ML
Alabama	-575 ML
Spread	Alabama -10
Total Points	O/U 162.5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.