Alabama vs. Maryland 3/18/23 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

The No. 8 seeded Maryland Terrapins face the No. 1 seeded Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday in the second round of the NCAA tournament Midwest Region at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. Maryland defeated the West Virginia Mountaineers 67-65 in the first round on Thursday, with Julian Reese scoring a team high 17 points. Maryland shot 51.1% and held West Virginia to 39.3% shooting.

During the regular season, Jahmir Young was the leading scorer with an average of 16.1 points per game and was also the leader in assists with an average of 3.2 assists per game. Julian Reese was the leading rebounder with an average of 7.3 rebounds per game. Maryland scored an average of 70.4 points per game, while shooting 44.9% overall and 33.0% from 3-point territory. 

Alabama opened its NCAA tournament with a resounding 96-75 victory over No. 16 seeded Texas A&M Corpus Christi. The Crimson Tide was led by Nick Pringle with 19 points. Alabama dominated all aspects of the game shooting 47.1% overall compared to 34.7% for the Islanders. Alabama out rebounded Texas A&M Corpus Christi 48-44. The Crimson Tide led by 20 points at halftime and coasted to the 21-point victory. 

During the regular season, Brandon Miller was the leading scorer and rebounder with averages of 19.6 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, while Jahvon Quinerly was the leader in assists with an average of 3.8 assists per game. Alabama had three players average double figures in scoring and as a team scored an average of 82.2 points per game. The Crimson Tide shot 44.6% overall and 33.8% from 3-point territory.