St. Francis (PA) vs Alabama State – NCAA Tournament Preview – March 18, 2025
St. Francis (PA) will take on Alabama State in the First Four round of the NCAA Tournament on Tuesday night. The game will be played at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio, with tipoff set for 6:40 PM ET. The winner will advance to face No. 1 Auburn in the South Region’s first round.
St. Francis (PA) comes into the game with a 16-17 record after winning the Northeast Conference tournament. Alabama State enters at 19-15, earning their spot by winning the SWAC tournament. Both teams are on six-game winning streaks, adding momentum to this matchup.
SFPA Preview – Can the Defense Hold Strong?
St. Francis (PA) has relied heavily on their defense down the stretch. They held top-seeded Central Connecticut to just 43 points in the NEC tournament final. The Red Flash rank 170th in opponent field goal percentage, limiting teams to 43.5% shooting.
On offense, Riley Parker leads the team with 13.4 points per game while averaging 3.4 assists. Valentino Pinedo contributes 10 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, providing size inside. Juan Cranford Jr. matches Pinedo with 10 points per game and is a key outside shooter, while Cam Moncrief leads the team in steals with 1.2 per game.
The Red Flash average 71.1 points per game, ranking 226th nationally. Their free-throw shooting has been a weakness, ranking near the bottom nationally at just 9.7 free throws made per game. Despite that, St. Francis has thrived in close games, winning their final three tournament games by three points each.
ALST Preview – Hot Streak Continues?
Alabama State has leaned on strong defensive performances to win games. The Hornets have held opponents to 72.2 points per game while limiting teams to 33.1% from three-point range. Their ability to contest shots has been key during their recent success.
CJ Hines leads the Hornets with 14.4 points per game and adds defensive pressure with 1.7 steals per contest. Amarr Knox averages 14.3 points and adds valuable scoring in the backcourt. TJ Madlock leads the team with 7.2 rebounds and is a steady presence in the paint with 12.6 points per game.
Alabama State’s defense has been strong in forcing turnovers. They average 6.3 steals per game and block 2.4 shots per contest. The Hornets have won 10 of their last 11 games, including a road win against SWAC regular season champion Southern, proving they can win tough matchups.
Betting Prediction
Alabama State is a 4.5-point favorite, with the total set at 139.5 points. Both teams have played well defensively, making the under an appealing option. Alabama State’s defensive strength and recent form give them the edge to cover the spread.
St. Francis has played several close games lately, but Alabama State’s experience and momentum make them the better pick. Expect a lower-scoring game with Alabama State advancing.
Pick: Alabama State -4.5
Enjoy this and all the NCAA Basketball Tournament action. This is the first of four play-in games, and then the first round of action will start on Thursday. Saturday and Sunday will then feature second round play, as we reach the Sweet 16 by the end of the weekend!
