The Alabama Crimson Tide will face the Saint Mary’s Gaels in round two of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, March 23, 2025. This game brings us a fun clash of styles, as Saint Mary’s loves to win with their defense and Alabama loves to use their run-and-gun offense to win games. Whichever team can impose their will on their opponent here will have the inside track in this Saint Mary’s vs Alabama matchup.
Going into this game, DraftKings Sportsbook has listed Alabama as a 5.5-point favorite. They have set the total at 147.5 points. For a full preview of Saint Mary’s vs Alabama, continue reading our breakdown of the game below.
Saint Mary’s Looks For Trip to Sweet 16
The Saint Mary’s Gaels needed a huge second-half comeback to beat the Vanderbilt Commodores in the opening round of this year’s NCAA Tournament. Saint Mary’s played incredible defense down the stretch to shut down their opponents from the SEC and secure a win. The Gaels will need to shut down another SEC opponent if they want to advance in this game.
For Saint Mary’s, the question going into this game is whether or not they can generate enough offense to keep up with the Crimson Tide. Saint Mary’s will try to slow this game down with one of the slowest tempos in Division I college basketball. But if they can’t be efficient when they do have the ball, slowing the game down won’t do them any good.
Alabama Looks For Strong Showing After Early Scare
The Alabama Crimson Tide were heavy favorites in the first round of the tournament against the Robert Morris Colonials. But Robert Morris was very close in that game until late in the second half, with Alabama looking vulnerable for most of the contest. However, once Alabama put Grant Nelson into the game in the second half, things changed, and Nelson’s presence could be significant again in this matchup.
Alabama’s original intention was not to play Nelson against Robert Morris. But when the game was close down the stretch, he insisted that head coach Nate Oats put him in. Nelson looked fine when on the floor and his status for this game will help determine what kind of day the Crimson Tide has against a tough opponent.
Saint Mary’s vs Alabama Prediction
Alabama -5.5 (-110) over Saint Mary’s
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- Grant Nelson should play in this game after returning in the second half against Robert Morris.
- Saint Mary’s isn’t effective enough on offense to win this game.
