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Mark Sears’ No. 9 Alabama Set for Rutgers Clash in Players Era Festival

MGM Grand Garden Arena has a contest on tap as Rutgers and Alabama will both be trying to pick up a win.

(Photo by Getty Images) Mark Sears

Rutgers (5-1) at Alabama (5-1)

  • When: Nov 27 2024, 10:00 PM
  • Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV, USA
  • Where to watch: TBS

Game Odds, Spread, Moneyline & Total

Rutgers @ Alabama (#9)
Moneyline

Rutgers   +410
Alabama (#9)   -585

Rutgers @ Alabama (#9)
Point Spread

Rutgers   10.5 (-115)
Alabama (#9)   -10.5 (-105)

Rutgers @ Alabama (#9)
Total

Over   162.5 (-110)
Under   162.5 (-110)

Team Stats

Rutgers   Alabama
5-1 Record 5-1
1-0 Neutral 2-0
1-4-0 ATS 3-3-0
W1 O/U W2

Last Matchup:
No recent meetings

Game Preview

Mark Sears delivered a clutch 24-point performance to lift No. 9 Alabama past a ranked opponent in overtime, while Dylan Harper erupted for 36 points to lead Rutgers to a dramatic rebound win. These two stars now set the stage for a thrilling showdown Wednesday night in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, with a trip to the championship game on the line.

Betting Preview: Alabama vs. Rutgers

Alabama (5-1) and Rutgers (5-1) aim to advance and face the winner of the top-ranked teams in the Power Group. Both squads secured nail-biting victories in their previous games, as Alabama edged No. 6 Houston in OT, and Rutgers outlasted Notre Dame by a single point. The Crimson Tide are slight favorites, but the Scarlet Knights bring momentum and Harper’s scoring prowess into this high-stakes matchup.

Alabama’s Recent Form

Sears bounced back in a big way after being held scoreless in Alabama’s win over Illinois, contributing all his points via 3-pointers (4-for-8) and free throws (12-for-14). His opening triple in overtime against Houston set the tone, and his defense helped Alabama hold Houston scoreless in the final 3:17 of the extra frame. Alongside Sears, Mouhamed Dioubate dominated the boards with 16 rebounds, showcasing Alabama’s depth and pace.

“Depth was the key in OT,” Sears said postgame. “We pushed the pace, and they couldn’t keep up.”

Rutgers’ Resilience

Rutgers rebounded from a tough loss to Kennesaw State with Harper putting on a scoring clinic against Notre Dame. Harper, who tallied his fifth 20+ point game of the season, shot 12-for-22 from the field, hit 10 free throws, and added six rebounds and assists.

“Harper’s relentless attack on the rim was the difference,” coach Steve Pikiell said. A lineup adjustment also paid dividends, with Jordan Derkack scoring 16 points off the bench and Jeremiah Williams adding 10.

Rutgers knows it faces a tall task against Alabama. “The bounce-back win was critical, but Alabama is a monster team,” Harper said.

X-Factors to Watch

– Cliff Omoruyi’s Revenge: Facing Rutgers for the first time since transferring, Omoruyi has fresh legs after playing just 17 minutes against Houston, setting him up for a potential big night.

– Rebounding Battle: Alabama’s dominance on the glass could tip the scales. Dioubate’s 16-rebound outing showed the Tide’s physicality, but Rutgers will look to counter with Ace Bailey and Harper.

Betting Angles

– Spread Play: Alabama has shown it can close out tight games against elite teams, making them the safer pick to cover.

– Player Props: Look for Harper to hit his points over as Rutgers leans heavily on his scoring.

– Total: Both teams have the offensive firepower to push the total over, especially with players like Sears and Harper in form.

Expect a thrilling matchup as Alabama’s depth clashes with Harper’s individual brilliance. Whether you’re betting the spread, props, or total, this game is a must-watch for college hoops fans.

Handicappers Picks – Join for Free

NCAA Basketball Parlay Picks & Predictions

Final Score: Alabama 89-76
Expert Pick: Alabama -10½ (-105) & Over 162½
A $100 Parlay Bet will return $373

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