Alabama Crimson Tide vs St. John's Red Storm Point Spread Picks

Alabama star Mark Sears, their leading scorer (18.6 ppg, 5.1 apg) from last season, is gone, so the Tide offense is retooling. The defense allowed 62 points and 38.7% shooting in the opener, a win over North Dakota. The defense allowed 42.6% shooting in SEC play last year. St. John's coach Rick Pitino knows how to teach aggressive defense. Last season, the Johnnies were No. 1 in the Big East in points given up (66.4 per game) and in shooting allowed (.401). Playmaking guard Dylan Darling is questionable to play (calf strain), wearing a walking boot. St. John's is on a 15-9 run UNDER the total. Play Alabama/St. John's UNDER the total.