Clemson vs. Alabama prediction: Who’ll make hoop history?

Multiple times each week, The Gaming Juice’s resident action seeker, Brad Evans, will attempt to blast the ‘books with his favorite selections on sides, totals, props, teasers or parlays. As always, fade or follow Brad’s picks — fading is encouraged — but that’s up to you.

The pick — Clemson +3.5 vs. Alabama (-110, MGM)

The over has already cashed on the number of Clemson-Alabama football-related references made by various media outlets.

Collect your winnings.

Yes, Saban, Swinney and other associated pigskin mentions are low-hanging fruit, but bury your gridiron bias for one lousy second, ACC/SEC revelers. Tigers vs. Tide on the hardwood Saturday in the NCAA Tournament’s West Region final is sure to captivate even the most casual viewer’s attention.

After all, Clemson hasn’t been to an Elite Eight since Blondie was blowing up transistor radios (1980). And the last time Alabama made an appearance? Twenty years ago in 2004.

Neither team has ever earned a berth in the Final Four. So history will be made at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

PAY ATTENTION, FOOTBALL FANS!

This is a rematch from earlier this season. In late November, Brad Brownell’s bunch waltzed into Coleman Coliseum, kept up with the brisk-paced Tide and rolled to an 85-77 victory.

Though blasted on the offensive glass (16-8), outshot at the free-throw line (20-10) and matched in three-point makes (11), the Tigers’ interior duo of PJ Hall and Ian Schieffelin pushed them over the top. The pair’s performance defensively was the primary reason why Alabama converted a woeful 37.5% from two.

On paper, this is a classic contrast in styles. This month, Clemson ranks No. 259 in adjusted tempo, a whopping 237 spots lower than Nate Oats’ fleet-footed Tide. But as the Tigers already proved in their victory  in Tuscaloosa, they own the necessary cardio.

Thanks to Rylan Griffen and Grant Nelson, Alabama finally erupted from outside in its upset of North Carolina. Even with that performance, however, the Tide have shot only 31.3% from distance in March.

Clemson’s exceptional near-proximity execution on both ends gives it the upper hand. This season, according to Halsametrics, it ranks No. 35 in NP% offense and No. 3 in NP% defense.

Unless Mark Sears and friends cook from three, Alabama’s lackluster efforts displacing shots around the rim (No. 96 in NP% D) could lead to an unraveling. Throw in the Tigers’ phenomenal reliability at the line (78.7 FT%), and Dabo is sure to laugh last in what will likely be a tight contest.

Enjoy retirement and the new cushy ESPN gig, Coach Saban.

Season record: 30-32, +3.50 units