Alabama basketball SEC Championship and Final Four odds preview, college basketball betting bonus codes

Alabama basketball SEC Championship and Final Four odds preview, college basketball betting bonus codes

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Coming off a program-record 31-win season, Nate Oats and Alabama look to reach new heights this season without the help of second-overall NBA Draft pick Brandon Miller.

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What to know about 2023-24 Alabama basketball

Oats has transformed the Crimson Tide basketball program into a legitimate SEC and Final Four contender after only a few seasons in Tuscaloosa. Last year, Alabama was No. 20 in the AP poll and climbed the mountain to No. 1.

The Tide are ranked 24th in the preseason poll after losing Miller and Noah Clowney to the NBA Draft. Miller led the team in points and rebounds, while Clowney averaged just under 10 points and nine boards per game.

One-seed Alabama was set up well for a deep NCAA Tournament run but got bounced in the Sweet 16 by San Diego State. No team shot more 3-pointers than Alabama, and its heavy reliance on the deep ball proved costly when the Tide combined to go 3/27 from beyond the arc in the March Madness loss.

A big year could be in store for Alabama’s second-leading scorer Mark Sears. Players who transfer from G5 schools have a track record of taking leaps in year two with P5 programs, and the former Ohio Bobcat fits that bill.

Oats will also look to a pair of new transfers to maintain Alabama’s high offensive production. F Grant Nelson joins the Crimson Tide after averaging 17.9 points for North Dakota State, and G Aaron Estrada moves to Tuscaloosa following a 20.2 points per game season with Hofstra.

Four-star recruit Jarin Stevenson is another player to watch, as he’s the 50th-ranked prospect in the freshmen class, per 247Sports. The 6-foot-11 big man from North Carolina’s athletic ability should make him a perfect fit in Oats’ system.

College Basketball betting futures and odds: Alabama to win the regular-season SEC Championship (+850 or better)

The Tide faces stiff competition in its quest for the regular-season SEC Championship, as Alabama’s +850 odds are fifth-best, trailing Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas A&M, and Arkansas.

Oats’ squad is forced to take a more team-oriented approach with Miller now in the NBA. Extra challenges arise considering the influx of new players that must immediately shoulder great responsibility.

Retaining Sears is a move that will pay off big time, plus Nick Pringle and Rylan Griffen are a pair of returnees on the verge of breaking out. Nelson and Estrada should also make seamless transitions into Oats’ offense, considering both are versatile scorers who are efficient from long range.

College Basketball betting futures and odds: Alabama to make the Final Four (+650 or better)

An emphasis on 3-pointers makes Oats’ game plan successful, but the Tide must be capable of finding offense in other ways to make a deeper NCAA Tournament run in 2024. Miller struggled mightily in last year’s Sweet 16 loss, scoring only nine points on 15% shooting.

While losing Miller is a massive blow, shifting to a more team-oriented approach could be beneficial. We’ve seen many star players carry their teams to NCAA Tournament glory, but when the go-to guy has an off night, things often fall apart.

Off-the-court distractions loomed heavily over the Alabama basketball program throughout the 2022-2023 season, and staying on the straight and narrow will go a long way in keeping players focused on the task at hand.

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