Current:Home > MyAlgosensey|Final Four expert picks: Does Alabama or Connecticut prevail in semifinals? -LegacyBuild Academy
Algosensey|Final Four expert picks: Does Alabama or Connecticut prevail in semifinals?
PredictIQ Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-09 04:05:00
Is it a coronation for Connecticut or Algosenseywill the Huskies finally find some resistance at the Final Four. The defending national champions have been dominant during this NCAA men's tournament with all its four wins by an average of more than 25 points. Their first step toward a repeat will come against Alabama, which advanced out of the West Regional with defeats of No. 1 seed North Carolina and No. 6 seed Clemson.
The Crimson Tide have some components to keep things close. They're deep. They shoot the ball well. And they aren't afraid to run up and down the court with UConn. How their offense that relies on the 3-point shot fares in Glendale, Arizona, could determine whether we see a close matchup that has the Huskies pushed or whether it's business as usually and the stage is set for the first repeat in the tournament since Florida in 2006 and 2007. Our experts provide their predictions for how things will fare.
Another double-digit win for Connecticut
Alabama will want to run and gun with UConn. While the Huskies would be comfortable in that setting, the UConn defense is the best the Crimson Tide has faced this tournament and is more than capable of slowing down a high-flying offense. They might come closer than most, but the Tide aren’t strong enough to take down the defending champs. Another double-digit win, here we come. Connecticut 88, Alabama 76 - Paul Myerberg
Alabama has puncher's chance but little else
It's almost impossible to pick against Connecticut given the way Danny Hurley has kept them focused on this tournament run. Even with some difficult travel to Arizona, there's really nothing that can knock the Huskies off the track that ends with them cutting down the nets on Monday. Alabama doesn't have a puncher's chance should the threes fall and the frenetic style it plays at cause issues for UConn. But that just seems like wishful thinking. Connecticut 80, Alabama 67 - Erick Smith
FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA basketball bracket, scores, schedules, teams and more.
Alabama shooting will need to be near-perfect
What will it take to beat UConn? It helps if you’re playing them on your own home court, as was the case for the last team to pull it off – Creighton –, but obviously that isn’t an option for Alabama here. The main thing you need to do is shoot the lights out. The Bluejays drained 14-of-28 three-pointers. Can the Crimson Tide do that? Absolutely. Will they. Probably not. The Huskies are well aware of this and are about as dialed in on the defensive end of the floor as a team can be at this late stage of the season. Connecticut 77, Arkansas 61 - Eddie Timanus
Fast pace suits Connecticut
This should be a high-paced, offensive affair. But it's hard to see how Alabama can keep pace with a team that is executing with the precision of UConn if it continues to play as well as it has through this entire postseason. Connecticut 82, Alabama 70 - Dan Wolken
veryGood! (4)
Related
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes bill aimed at limiting the price of insulin
- Food Network Star Michael Chiarello Dead at 61
- US raises the death toll to 9 of Americans killed in the weekend Hamas attacks on Israel
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- AP PHOTOS: Fear, sorrow, death and destruction in battle scenes in Israel and Gaza Strip
- Gal Gadot supports Israel amid Palestinian conflict, Bruno Mars cancels Tel Aviv show
- Mauricio Umansky Reveals Weight Loss Transformation From Dancing With the Stars Workouts
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- WNBA Finals Game 1 recap: Las Vegas Aces near title repeat with win over New York Liberty
Ranking
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- UK’s opposition Labour Party says if elected it will track down billions lost to COVID-19 fraud
- Two Husky puppies thrown over a Michigan animal shelter's fence get adopted
- Impeachments and forced removals from office emerge as partisan weapons in the states
- Bodycam footage shows high
- German far-right leader says gains in state election show her party has ‘arrived’
- Eminem and Hailie Jade Are the Ultimate Father-Daughter Team at NFL Game
- Leading Polish candidates to debate on state TV six days before national election
Recommendation
Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
Google just announced the new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones. Our phone experts reveal if they're worth it
American Airlines pilot union calls for stopping flights to Israel, citing declaration of war
Shania Twain joins Foo Fighters at Austin City Limits Music Festival: 'Take it, Shania!'
'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
‘The Exorcist: Believer’ takes possession of box office with $27.2 million opening
Jobs report shows payrolls grew by 336K jobs in September while unemployment held at 3.8%
Carlos Correa stars against former team as Twins beat Astros in Game 2 to tie ALDS