As we are closing in on tip-off between Michigan basketball and Alabama on Friday night in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, the odds are tightening.
The Wolverines were a double-digit favorite to open. The third-ranked Michigan basketball team, which is the No. 3 seed overall, is now just a single-digit favorite against fourth-seeded Alabama.
Vegas oddmakers have dropped the nine down to 8.5 points. Money is moving in Alabama's direction. The over/under is 172.5. The moneyline is +370 for Bama and -485 for Michigan. The start time is set for 7:35 PM EST on TBS.
Alabama vs Michigan basketball Prediction
Alabama played well last week, so, understandably, people would have more confidence in them, especially after burying Texas Tech with 19 3-pointers last week.
Aden Holloway didn't travel with the team after a recent arrest. However, Labaron Philon, a 6-foot-4 guard, averages 21.6 points and 5.3 assists while shooting 39.7 percent from 3-point range. He will give Michigan enough to worry about, especially with Latrell Wrightsell to be concerned with. The guard, who averages 13.1 points per game, made six 3-pointers against Texas Tech.
Even without Holloway, Alabama has seven players who average at least 0.8 3-point makes per game, so everyone on the floor can and will shoot. You can expect that, especially with Aday Mara on defense.
Alabama is going to try to get him away from the basket, or it will try to make Michigan pay by shooting a semi-open 3-pointer. That matchup will be fascinating to watch.
Alabama has plenty of flaws, though. Their interior defense is solid, but they haven't defended many teams like Michigan, with Mara, Morez Johnson, and Yaxel Lendeborg. The Tide are also one of the worst offensive rebounding teams in college basketball.
Michigan is one of the best. That should allow the Wolverines to score an outright win. They are just too good on the interior, and too good on defense.
Alabama will make it interesting and keep it interesting. That's until one of those patented Michigan runs in the second half, which allows the Wolverines to pull away.
Prediction: Michigan 91, Alabama 81.