Oklahoma State Cowboys at Alabama Crimson Tide
Wednesday, 12/21/11, 9:00 PM EST, TV: ESPN2
Opening Point Spread: Alabama -8
Current Betting Line: Alabama -8.5
Opening Total: 121.5
Current Total: 120.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Oklahoma State is set to play its fourth-straight game away from Gallagher-Iba Arena in traveling to play in Birmingham, AL, inside the BJCC Arena. The Cowboys have faced an incredibly tough schedule over the past 14 days, playing three consecutive games Missouri State, Pittsburgh and New Mexico. Defense has been the name of the game, allowing just 63.2 points per game and 38.7 percent shooting from the floor. Oklahoma State is 11-20 ATS as an underdog over the last two-plus years.
The Cowboys will be playing the Crimson Tide for the seventh time and both teams have proven victorious three times. Oklahoma State is led offensively by the play of forward Le’Bryan Nash and guard Keiton Page, who are both averaging 12.7 points per game respectively. It’s important to note that the team has dug itself a hole in four of its six wins this year, trailing by at least seven points at some point during the game. Oklahoma State really lacks size underneath and will be tested tonight against a quality Southeastern Conference squad.
Alabama is set to play its final game before the holiday break on Wednesday evening and will be playing inside tonight’s venue for the first time since Dec. 5, 2007. The Crimson Tide will be playing their second straight game against a Big 12 opponent, dropping a 71-58 contest to the Kansas State Wildcats as 1.5-point neutral-site favorites last time out. The program brings in one of the top defensive units as well, allowing 56.7 points per game and ranks 18th in the nation in that particular category. Alabama is 25-16 ATS as a favorite over the last two-plus seasons.
The Crimson Tide have allowed their 11 opponents to convert on just 36.4 percent of their field goal attempts, ranking 10th in college basketball in that category. JaMychal Green leads the team in scoring, averaging 15.9 points per game, shooting 66 percent from the field with three 20-point games. Alabama has two other players averaging double-digit points, but really struggle in distributing the ball, with guard Trevor Releford averaging just 3.3 assists per game.
Bettors will likely back the Crimson Tide due to their 5-1-1 ATS mark as a home favorite of 7 to 12.5 points, while the Cowboys are 1-5 ATS when playing on the road within the same point range.
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