NIT Quarterfinals
#2 Miami Hurricanes at #1 Alabama Crimson Tide
Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, AL
Wednesday, March 23, 2011, 9:00 pm, TV: ESPN2
Opening Line: Alabama -5
Current Line: Alabama -5
Opening Total: 129
Current Total: 130
Money Line: Alabama -235 / Miami +195
This seems like it should be in the Sugar or Orange Bowl, as both programs are known more for the success of their football teams more than basketball. However, Miami and Alabama meet in the NIT quarterfinals with a trip trip to New York and a semifinal date with Colorado on the line. This was the only one of the four NIT brackets that both top seeds made it all the way to the quarterfinals. The #2 seeded Miami Hurricanes are 21-14 overall and finished 9th in the ACC at 6-10. The Hurricanes have gone 9-5 in their last 14 games. In the NIT, the Hurricanes beat Florida Atlantic 85-62 in the first round, and beat Missouri St 81-72 Monday night in the second round. Both games were at home for the Hurricanes. Alabama is the #1 seed in this bracket and is 23-11. The Tide finished in first place in the SEC West division with a 12-4 record. Alabama has gone 12-4 in their last 16 games. In the NIT, Bama has beaten Coastal Carolina 68-44 in the first round and New Mexico 74-67 in the second round. Both games were in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama leads the overall series 1-0 against Miami but they haven’t played since 1968. Alabama is 18-0 at home this season and the Tide are holding opponents to 52 points a game and 34% shooting from the field at Coleman. Miami is 4-8 this season on the road. Alabama is 13-4 ATS as a favorite this season. Alabama is 12-2 ATS at home this season, including 7-0 when the total is between 130 and 135, and 8-1 at home versus teams with winning records. Miami is 14-4 ATS in non-conference games the last 2 seasons, and 11-2 ATS in all tournament games the same span.
Miami . Miami is led by guard Malcolm Grant. He is averaging 15 points to lead the team, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists a game to lead the team. Grant is shooting 42.8% from 3-point range. Guard Durand Scott is averaging 13.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.2 steals a game to lead the team . Forward Reggie Johnson averages 11.9 points, 9.7 rebounds to lead the team and 1.3 blocks a game to also lead the team. Forward Adrian Thomas averages 9.4 points, and 3.9 rebounds a game. Miami is outscoring opponents 72-67 on the year. Miami is shooting 44.7% from the field and 38.2% from 3-point range. Miami opponents are shooting 41.3% from the field. Miami is shooting 72.6% from the free throw line. The Hurricanes average 36.3 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +3.9. Miami averages 11.7 assists and 13.7 turnovers a game. Miami forces 11.9 turnovers a game on defense. They average 5.7 steals and 3.5 blocks a game.
Alabama guard Kendall Durant is out indefinitely with a foot injury. He has been out since December 11. Alabama guard Andrew Steele is listed as questionable with a concussion. Forward Jason Carter is also questionable for an undisclosed reason. He plays only 6 minutes a game anyway. None of them scores that many points for the Tide, so the losses aren’t that important. Alabama is led by forward JaMychal Green. He is averaging 15.5 points to lead the team, 7.8 rebounds to lead the team, 1.5 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.2 blocks a game to lead the team. Forward Tony Mitchell averages 15.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.7 steals to lead the team, and 1.1 blocks a game. Guard Trevor Releford averages 10.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists to lead the team, and 1.5 steals a game. Guard Charvez Davis averages 8.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists a game. Alabama is outscoring opponents 67-59 on the season, The Tide are shooting 44.8% from the field and 30.4% from 3-point range. Alabama holds opponents to 38.2% shooting from the field. The Crimson Tide make 71.2% from the free throw line. Alabama grabs 36.6 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of +3.2. The Tide averages 12.4 assists and 14.1 turnovers a game. They force 15.5 turnovers a game on defense. The Tide averages 9.3 steals and 5.2 blocks a game.
Alabama is nearly unstoppable at home. They play very good defense on the road but they are suffocating on defense at home. Miami has struggled a little on the road. The Hurricanes are a better offensive team, but that is the only advantage they have over the Crimson Tide. If Alabama gets behind early, they do struggle from the 3-point line. I think Alabama will roll all they way to New York City.
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