#4 Alabama vs. #1 Michigan Picks and Predictions: Sweet 16
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Thu Mar 26, 2026, 8:25 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide take on Dusty May and the Wolverines in this Sweet 16 showdown in Chicago this Friday. Both teams have played in this arena this year, but the stakes have never been higher. A trip to the Midwest Regional Final is on the line. Now, No. 4 Alabama made light work of Texas Tech in the Round of 32, while No. 1 Michigan handled Saint Louis, but could this be a wake up call? Let's find out how our experts are betting on this game by checking out their favorite picks.
Check out our March Madness Betting Guide to get in on all the action this month!
Best Bet: Michigan Team Total Over 91.5 (-110) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Go check out what else I've got on my daily card, and view the latest odds at the best online sportsbooks.
#4 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. #1 Michigan Wolverines NCAA Basketball Insights
Will Alabama be able to compete with the size of the Wolverines?
Make sure your laces are tied, because we are going to see plenty of pace. The Crimson Tide are the fourth fastest team in the country, averaging almost 75 possessions per game, even away from home. Earlier this year, they beat the Illinois Fighting Illini in the United Center, but Michigan is a different animal.
The Wolverines also won a couple of games here during the Big Ten Tournament, but they lost their last meeting at the United Center. Will that sour taste of defeat be the motivation they need to take down the Tide? The Wolverines are top 25 in the country in terms of pace, so get ready to see plenty of trips up and down the floor. Hopefully for us fans, that means tons of points on the scoreboard.
Matchup Information – Alabama vs. Michigan – March 27
- Venue & Location: United Center (Chicago, IL)
- Date: Friday, March 27, 2026
- Tip Off: 7:35 p.m. Eastern
- Broadcast: TBS/truTV
Alabama vs. Michigan Betting Odds
Odds are courtesy of Lucky Rebel, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of March 26, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. eastern. Sign up today with and get a $1,250 deposit bonus, as well as 50 slot spins immediately. Lucky Rebel Sportsbook offers a wide variety of unique markets across nearly every sport imaginable.
Spread
- Alabama +9 (-111)
- Michigan -9 (-109)
Moneyline
- Alabama +360
- Michigan -490
Total
- Over 173 (-110)
- Under 173 (-110)
#4 Alabama vs. #1 Michigan NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions
Back the front court of Michigan to dominate the Crimson Tide and score plenty
Alabama vs. Michigan Prediction: Michigan Wins and Covers, Over 173
Best Bet: Michigan Team Total Over 91.5 (-110) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Alabama does not have the defense to stop Michigan, and they do not have the poise to slow down and limit their offensive possessions. The Wolverines will be able to do whatever they please on offense. Especially inside. And they'll have ample opportunity to impose their will.
The Crimson Tide do not have a big presence inside. Their front court is very weak. Michigan's is not, and they play through their bigs plenty to score easy buckets around the hoop and set up their outside shooters. Alabama was out rebounded this season by Purdue, Illinois, Gonzaga, Arizona and Tennessee, losing all but one of those games. They clearly struggle against teams that pound the glass, which is where Michigan excels.
Plus, the Wolverines are top 30 in opponent 3P%. They contest shots, and hold their foes to just 30.8% from beyond the arc. Alabama, being so live and die by the three, will NEED those shots to fall to keep up, but I don't think it happens. Michigan will turn missed shots into easy fast break layups, while dominating the glass and earning plenty of second chance points.
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Check Out the Other March Madness Content from Betting News
For college basketball bettors, March Madness is the most wonderful time of the year. And at Betting News, we have you covered for this festively fun season with expert picks throughout the tournament from Nate Hornung and Eddie Griffin, consensus picks for every March Madness game from the First Four to the Final Four, a rundown of the best March Madness betting sites, and more.
Also, through our streams and social media channels, you can get even more insight from Nate and other members of the Betting News team, as well as offer your own thoughts and tips for the tournament.
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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