For good reason, the UConn Huskies are favorites over Alabama’s Crimson Tide. There are also other factors pointing to an Alabama upset.
The Alabama Crimson Tide are a double-digit underdog against the defending National Champion UConn Huskies. Among the Final Four teams, Alabama is not the longest longshot to win the NCAA Tournament. That honor belongs to North Carolina State. But outside of each team’s fans, almost no one is picking Alabama and NCSU to advance to the national title game.
ESPN Analytics gives the Crimson Tide a 28% chance of defeating the Huskies. Even if you are a die-hard Alabama supporter, there is no data to support the idea that the Tide has more than a 28% chance. To win, the Crimson Tide will most likely require their greatest game, while the Huskies will have to play below their best.
There are several reasons why Alabama could pull off an upset. An upset argument is not as compelling as reasons why UConn will beat the oddsmakers, but an upset claim is plausible.
Seven reasons why Alabama Crimson Tide will defeat UConn.
Reason No. 1: UConn is an exceptional team with a 10-game NCAA Tournament winning run. The Huskies have gone 41-3 over the last year and a few weeks. But UConn is not invincible. Seton Hall trounced them by 15 points in December, while Creighton defeated the Huskies 85-66 in late February. Donovan Clingan of UConn Center missed the final 16 minutes of the Seton Hall game due to an injury.
