#5 Florida vs #7 Alabama: NCAA Basketball Odds & Best Bets (3/5)

The Florida Gators and Alabama Crimson Tide meet tonight in Tuscaloosa for the first time this season. However the stakes are incredibly high. Both teams are battling for the last two #1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament, as Auburn and Duke have most likely locked up their spots. The Gators and Tide are battling with Houston and possibly Tennessee for the final top seeds.

Not only that, but this game also has major implications regarding the SEC Tournament. Both teams are currently tied at 12-4, one game ahead of Tennessee who is 11-5. With two games remaining, this matchup tonight may very well settle who is the #2 seed in the conference. The Gators have a much easier matchup this weekend, as they host Ole Miss while Alabama travels to Auburn, but the Tide will surely bring their full focus to this game at hand.

Who will walk away victorious and thus earn the second seed in the SEC?

#5 Florida Gators vs #7 Alabama Crimson Tide: Battle for SEC Two Seed

Matchup Information – Florida vs Alabama

• Venue & Location: Coleman Coliseum (Tuscaloosa, AL)
• Date: Wednesday, March 5th, 2025
• Tip Off: 7:00pm Eastern
• Broadcast: ESPN

Betting Odds

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Spread

• Florida +3.5 (-108)
• Alabama -3.5 (-112)

Money Line

• Florida +145
• Alabama -165

Total

• Over 178.5 (-110)
• Under 178.5 (-110)

Will Gators Catch Tide Looking Ahead?

It is Senior Night for the Tide, and Florida is not a team that you overlook. However, Auburn is looming ahead. Alabama will certainly want to get sweet revenge on the road against their rival, but tonight they need to focus on the job at hand.

We have an EXTREMELY high total set at 178.5, and it wouldn’t surprise me if it ticks up north of 180. These teams are incredibly fast and very offensive minded. Alabama is the fastest team in the nation at home, ranking 3rd overall offensively, 12th in eFG%, 20th in crashing the offensive glass and 22nd in getting to the free throw line. Defensively they certainly aren’t as good, as they fail to force turnovers, but do a great job of defending the perimeter. The Tide are 54th in 3P Rate defense and 15th in 3P%D, holding visitors to just 30% from downtown.

Florida isn’t as fast, ranking 68th but they still love to run. Their offense travels well with them, and ultimately their defense can compete with Alabama’s. The Gators are 12th overall in offensive efficiency, 51st in eFG%, 39th in taking care of the basketball and 8th in crashing the offensive glass. With Alabama ranking 347th in turnovers forced, I expect the Gators to find a solid shot most times down the court.

While I slightly lean with Florida, simply with Alabama in a major look ahead spot, I can’t bring myself to bet them. Instead, I’ll focus on a player prop as the total suggests we see plenty of stats in the box score tonight.

#5 Florida Gators vs #7 Alabama Crimson Tide Best Bets

Florida vs Alabama Prediction: Florida Wins Outright, Over 178.5

Best Bets: Will Richard Over 4.5 Rebounds (-120) BetOnline

Richard is a do-it-all guard for the Gators. He’s not afraid to do the dirty work, but he can also put the ball in the hoop, He’s lead Florida in scoring 7 times this year, including  the past two games where he put up 25 and 30. Even though he’s been hot, Alijah Martin and Walter Clayton Jr. are the scoring guards.

What I love about this trio, and Richard for this prop, is that they each play 30+ minutes a game. Richard averages 31.7 minutes each contest, so he is ALWAYS on the floor, ready to clean up the mess.

He averages 4.8 boards per game, increasing to 4.9 on the road. Richard has had 5+ boards in two straight, 3 of his L4, and in 20/29 games this season. With this high of a total, the books are suggesting plenty of shots in this ball game. Even though the offenses are good, more shots produce more rebounding chances, and Richard should take full advantage.

With Alex Condon back in the lineup, the Tide will need to focus on boxing out him and Thomas Haugh. That leaves Richard the opportunity to clean things up and grab some easy rebounds.

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