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LSU vs. Alabama: How to watch, odds, predictions from ESPN, KenPom

Alex Weberby:Alex Weber01/14/23
alabama lsu
Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images

The pair of historic SEC West rivals meet on the basketball court Saturday afternoon, with No. 4 Alabama hosting a reeling LSU squad. The Tigers are losers of three in a row and face perhaps their toughest SEC battle of the year in order to avoid a fourth. Meanwhile, the Tide are rolling, having smashed Kentucky at home before beating Arkansas on the road in their last two performances.

For all of the relevant information — tip time, TV channel, predictions, point spreads, etc. — go ahead and read below.

How to watch

Tip-off: 4 p.m.

Location: Tuscaloosa, AL

Channel: ESPN

Vegas odds

According to the Vegas Insider Consensus, Alabama averages out as a 15-point favorite in their home tilt against the Tigers.

ESPN BPI Prediction

Predicted winner: Alabama

Predicted point differential: 17.0

Win probability: 91.9%

Matchup quality: 74.5

KenPom Prediction

Predicted final score: 81-65 Alabama

Win probability: 93%

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Alabama is the rightful heavy favorite here, and may be playing the best basketball of any team in the country right now. They’re off to a blazing 4-0 start in SEC play and have an overwhelming talent and athleticism advantage against the Tigers today. Five in a row is looking quite likely. So, what does success look like for both squads given the expectations?

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For LSU, a win would be a season-saver in terms of NCAA Tournament hopes. The bones of this roster propelled an Ohio Valley championship and seven-seed in the NCAA Tournament, but the challenge is much steeper with 18 games of SEC play to grind out. With a win seeming pretty unlikely, Tiger fans just want to see a competitive game, right? Make the Tide earn it.

On the Alabama end, keep shoveling coal in that engine, because this group is full steam ahead towards a deep March run. Nate Oats has had some stellar teams during his time in Tuscaloosa thus far, but his other groups didn’t have the ceiling that this team does. LSU at home should be a breezy win for these guys.