The Charleston Cougars return to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year after almost knocking off San Diego State as a No. 12 seed last year. Charleston is a No. 13 this year and the Cougars will take on No. 4 Alabama, a team making its fourth consecutive March Madness appearance under coach Nate Oats, on Friday. The Crimson Tide went 18-14 against the spread this season, while Charleston was 15-16-2 ATS.
Tipoff in this West Region matchup is set for 7:35 p.m. ET in Spokane, Wash. The Crimson Tide are 9-point favorites in the latest Alabama vs. Charleston odds via SportsLine consensus. The over/under is 173, up from opening at 168.5. Before making any Charleston vs. Alabama picks, be sure to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven model.
The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters the 2024 NCAA tournament on a 148-106 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning more than $1,700 for $100 players. It also has a strong 29-19 (+810) record on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Alabama vs. Charleston. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several college basketball odds and trends for Charleston vs. Alabama:
- Alabama vs. Charleston spread: Alabama -9
- Alabama vs. Charleston over/under: 173 points
- Alabama vs. Charleston money line: Alabama -462, Charleston +345
- BAMA: 18-14 ATS this season
- UVA: 9-7-2 ATS this season on extended rest
- Alabama vs. Charleston picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Alabama can cover
The Crimson Tide will have the best player on the floor in guard Mark Sears. The senior is averaging 21.1 points per game and is shooting 50.4% from the field, 86.1% from the free-throw line and 43.1% from 3-point range. He's scored at least 22 points in his last six games.
Alabama is taking on a Charleston team that played a weak non-conference schedule. The Cougars played just one ranked team all season -- then-No. 13 FAU on Dec. 2 -- and lost by 16 points. In a matchup where both sides will want to play the same style, Alabama's overall athleticism should give it a big edge. See which team to pick at SportsLine.
Why Charleston can cover
The Cougars came extremely close to knocking out San Diego State, a team that eventually made it to the Final Four, in 2023. The Cougars and Aztecs were tied with 3:27 remaining in that contest before SDSU pulled ahead in the closing minutes. Forward Ante Brzovic was the leading scorer in that game for Charleston and he's back on the 2024 squad.
Brzovic averages 12.3 points and 6.2 rebounds this season and he's second leading scorer behind Reyne Smith (12.8 ppg). Charleston enters March Madness with 12 straight wins, with more than half of them coming by double digits. The Cougars are one of the few teams built to run and score with Alabama. Charleston averaged 80.5 points per game this season and the Cougars hit 90 seven times. See which team to pick at SportsLine.
How to make Charleston vs. Alabama picks
The model is leaning Under on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 165 points. It also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Alabama vs. Charleston, and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine right now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the computer model that is 29-19 on top-rated college basketball spread picks this season.
