PREMIUM
Alabama vs Duke
(NCAAB) Crimson Tide (ALA) vs. Blue Devils (DUKE),
Point Spread: 7.50 | -118.00 Crimson Tide (ALA) (Away)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: 7.50 | -118.00 Crimson Tide (ALA) (Away)
Result: Loss
There's not much we can add to what the media has overloaded regarding the Duke narrative and all-everything 6-9 frosh Cooper Flagg, who put 30 on Arizona Thursday night. The Blue Devils scored 100 themselves in the Sweet 16, when at times we weren't sure if we were watching college hoops or the Indiana Pacers put 162 on the Wizards. Yet before coronating Duke, note that its perimeter defense was shot full of holes by Arizona's Caleb Love, who scored 35, and the Blue Devils couldn't shake the dogged Wildcats down the stretch. And even though all blue-chippers, Duke does start three frosh (C Khaman Maluach & wing Kon Knueppel aside from Flagg). Experience, also gained from a Final Four trip last spring, and excess firepower are great advantages for any underdog like Bama. All of that, plus enduring and surviving a brutal SEC slate, suggest Bama can make this one its style of game in Newark. If the 3s are falling anywhere near as they did on Thursday (when hitting 25 of 51--sheesh!--vs BYU), the Tide can get back to another Final Four and even Nick Saban will be giving Oats a congratulatory call. Play Alabama (NCAA at Newark)