North Alabama Lions vs Bradley Braves Pick – 3/19/2025

The North Alabama Lions are set to face the Bradley Braves in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time. This encounter at Carver Arena in Peoria, Illinois, marks a significant milestone for the Lions, as it's their inaugural appearance in the NIT. Conversely, the Braves bring a wealth of experience to the tournament, making their 24th appearance, the second-most in NCAA history.

North Alabama Lions vs. Bradley Braves Game Preview

North Alabama enters the NIT with a commendable 24-10 record, sharing the ASUN regular-season title with a 14-4 conference mark. Their journey to the ASUN Championship Final included decisive victories over Austin Peay and Jacksonville, before falling to Lipscomb in the title game. The Lions' offense is spearheaded by junior guard Jacari Lane, who averages 17.4 points per game and boasts a 41% shooting accuracy from beyond the arc. Lane's performance has been pivotal, including a 31-point outburst in the first round of the conference tournament. The team also benefits from balanced scoring, with five players averaging double figures, and a defense that has tightened up recently, holding opponents under 70 points in three of their last four games.

Bradley, with a 26-8 overall record and a 15-5 standing in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), has demonstrated consistency and resilience throughout the season. Despite a setback against Drake in the MVC Championship game, the Braves have secured victories in eight of their last ten outings. Senior guard Duke Deen leads the team with 13.8 points per game, shooting 40% from three-point range on over 7.5 attempts per game. Deen also contributes 3.7 assists per game, orchestrating an offense that averages 78.2 points while maintaining a solid defense, allowing just 69.3 points per game. Notably, Bradley's defense has been particularly stingy of late, not allowing more than 65 points in any of their last five games.

Betting Insights

• Point Spread: Bradley is favored by 2.5 points.
• Over/Under: The total points line is set at 145.5.

Key betting trends to consider:

• Bradley has won 18 of its last 19 games against non-conference opponents at Carver Arena.
• North Alabama has won eight of its last nine night games.
• Each of Bradley's last five games have produced a total of 141 or fewer points.
• Five of North Alabama's last six road games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 142 or fewer points.

North Alabama Lions vs. Bradley Braves Prediction

Analyzing the current form and statistical data, Bradley's experience and home-court advantage position them favorably in this matchup. Their balanced offense, coupled with a defense that has been particularly effective in recent games, suggests they have the upper hand. While North Alabama's offense, led by Jacari Lane, has been impressive, the step up in competition and the challenge of playing on the road against a seasoned Bradley team may prove daunting. Therefore, the prediction leans towards Bradley covering the 2.5-point spread, with the total points likely staying under 145.5, considering both teams' recent defensive performances.