The No. 18-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide heads to Norman for a clash against the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday afternoon.
The Tide have been filling up the hoop at their usual blistering pace, and my Alabama vs. Oklahoma predictions don't think the Sooners will be able to slow them down.
Here are my best free college basketball picks for this SEC clash on January 17.
Alabama vs Oklahoma prediction
Alabama vs Oklahoma best bet: Alabama -5.5 (-110)
The Alabama Crimson Tide have an elite attack that ranks second in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency and ninth in adjusted tempo per KenPom. Unlike most college teams, they don't have much of a drop-off in offensive play on the road.
They've dropped 90+ points in all three of their road games, and those came against Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, and St. John's, who are all better defensively than the Oklahoma Sooners.
The road map to beating the Tide is the same as it has been for the last few years. Either slow them down with elite defense or use your own offensive firepower to outscore them in a shootout. Oklahoma isn't built to do either.
The Sooners have lost three games in a row by 7+ points and are coming off a home loss to Florida, where they surrendered 96 points. They are outside the Top 200 in opponent 3PT% (34.3%) while the Tide attempt threes at the second-highest rate in the nation.
Bama is dealing with some injuries, but that has only led to Nate Oats using a shorter rotation with more minutes for stars Labaron Philon, Aden Holloway, and Amari Allen. Back the Tide to roll here.
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Alabama vs Oklahoma same-game parlay
Since I'm already backing Alabama on the full-game spread, let's also back them on the first half spread, which they've covered in 24 of their last 37 games.
The O/U has already surged from 171.5 to 175.5, but I'm still leaning towards the Over in a game between two teams who are significantly better offensively than defensively.
Especially with the breakneck pace that the Tide employ and their ability to suck their opponents into fast-paced shootouts. The Over has gone 4-1 in Alabama's last five games despite sky-high totals, while Oklahoma is 5-2 O/U in its last seven.
Alabama vs Oklahoma SGP
- Alabama -5.5
- Alabama -3 — 1H
- Over 175.5
Alabama vs Oklahoma odds
- Spread: Alabama -5.5 | Oklahoma +5.5
- Moneyline: Alabama -245 | Oklahoma +200
- Over/Under: Over 175.5 | Under 175.5
Alabama vs Oklahoma betting trend to know
The Tide have hit the Over on their team total in nine of their last 13 away games (+4.60 Units / 31% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Alabama vs. Oklahoma.
How to watch Alabama vs Oklahoma
| Location | Lloyd Noble Center, Norman, OK |
| Date | Saturday, January 17, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | SECN |
Alabama vs Oklahoma key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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