Arkansas State at Alabama

Alabama opened Tuesday with a 96-74 win over Sam Houston after missing its first seven three-point attempts. The Bearkats still hit 15 of 33 from three-point range and finished with 74, because Alabama held them to 10 of 32 inside the arc, blocked 10 shots and forced 23 turnovers. Arkansas State's opener was a 71-70 win over Toledo in which the Red Wolves took 37 of their 70 shots from three, made 11, and shot 35.7% overall. Toledo shot 39.7%, and I count 54 made field goals between the two teams on 143 attempts, for 141 points. Alabama's offense found its footing through its defense, with 17 steals in the opener, and it committed only 10 turnovers itself. The Crimson Tide also went 11 deep in their rotation, which keeps fresh legs on the floor all game. Ryan Pannone spent two seasons on Nate Oats's staff and was part of the 2023-24 Final Four team, so the Red Wolves' coach has seen this pressure from the other bench, and the UNDER is my play.