The SEC’s highest ranked seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament officially begins play Thursday as Alabama takes on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The two teams have only met once ever on the hardwood, with Alabama picking up a 76-54 win in Tuscaloosa back in 2004.
Alabama, the 2022-23 SEC regular season and tournament champions, enters March Madness at 29-5 overall, a record that included a 16-2 mark in conference play to finish atop the SEC. Led by head coach Nate Oats, the Crimson Tide are the No. 1 overall seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, and are making their third consecutive March Madness appearance, entering the week having won three-straight games dating back to March 10.
A Top 10 team nationally in both offensive and defensive efficiency according to kenpom, Alabama is currently averaging 82.2 PPG to rank No. 7 nationally, while also allowing 68.5 PPG. Alabama is also ranking No. 1 nationally in total and defensive rebounds per game, and have a deep roster that includes the SEC Player and Freshman of the Year Brandon Miller, Mark Sears, Noah Clowney, and SEC Co-Sixth Man of the Year Jahvon Quinerly among others.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, the 2022-23 Southland regular season and tournament champions, are currently sitting at 24-10 overall, a record that included a 14-4 mark in conference play. The Islanders, who are a No. 16 seed, are also coming off a 75-71 First Four win over Southeast Missouri State on Tuesday night, and are making their second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in as many years under head coach Steve Lutz.
The Islanders are a talented offensive team that is averaging 80.2 PPG this season, while also allowing 72.5 PPG to opponents, and are led by a pair of All-Southland selections in Isaac Mushilla, Trey Tennyson, and Terrion Murdix, who is the 2022-23 Southland Defensive Player of the Year. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi also has a few others that make key impacts as well, a group that includes Ross Williams, Jalen Jackson, and De’Lazarus Keys.
Alabama vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Line, Spread, Over/Under
According to FanDuel, Alabama is a 23.5-point favorite over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi as of Wednesday, with the over/under at 155.5. Alabama is -10000, while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is +2400.
Alabama vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 2023 NCAA Tournament Prediction
In the entire history of the NCAA Tournament, a No. 16 seed has only defeated a No. 1 seed once, and I do not see it happening for a second time here. I’ll say that Alabama controls the game from the start, and the Crimson Tide cruise to a big first round victory. Prediction: Alabama 82, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 58
What Channel is the Alabama vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Game On?
A Round of 64 matchup in the South Region of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, No. 1 seed Alabama and No. 16 seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi will play Thursday, March 16 at 2:45 PM ET on CBS. The game will be played from Legacy Arena at BJCC in Birmingham, AL.
Alabama vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Live Stream
A live stream of the Round of 64 matchup between Alabama and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi can be found on fuboTV here.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change