The Alcorn State Braves take on the Alabama State Hornets in College Park, GA, in the SWAC Tournament. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Alabama State is favored by 6.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -250. The total is set at 143 points.
Here’s my Alcorn State vs. Alabama State prediction and college basketball picks for March 9, 2026.
Alcorn State vs Alabama State Prediction
My Pick: Alabama State ML Parlay Target | Alabama State 1H ATS
My Alcorn State vs Alabama State best bet is on the Hornets to cover the first-half spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Alcorn State vs. Alabama State Odds
| Alcorn State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -110 | 143 -110 / -110 | +205 |
| Alabama State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -110 | 143 -110 / -110 | -250 |
- Alcorn State vs Alabama State spread: Alabama State -6.5
- Alcorn State vs Alabama State over/under: 143 points
- Alcorn State vs Alabama State moneyline: Alcorn State +205, Alabama State -250
Alcorn State vs Alabama State College Basketball Betting Preview
Alcorn State Basketball
Alcorn State enters the first round of the SWAC Tournament as the 11-seed after an 8-22 overall record.
In what's been a miserable season for the Braves, first-year head coach Jake Morton looks to rise from the ashes and pick up some momentum in a winnable matchup versus 10th-seeded Alabama State. The Braves haven't been to the NCAA Tournament since 2002.
Tycen McDaniels leads a Braves’ offense that's producing an atrocious 66 points per contest this season. McDaniels is scoring just shy of 12 points per game and is also posting six rebounds on average.
McDaniels is amongst three starters for Morton’s bunch who are posting double-figure scoring efforts this season, with guards Shane Lancaster and Jameel Morris also scoring roughly 11 points per contest.
While Lancaster’s 11.3 points per game have been largely impressive, he's doing so rather inefficiently, converting on just 43% of his field goal attempts.
Morton’s backcourt leads an offense that ranks outside the top 350 nationally in offensive efficiency, per KenPom.
On the other end of the floor, the Braves are allowing their opponents to score over 82 points per game, posting a dreadful -16 scoring margin. According to Haslametrics, Alcorn State ranks 328th in defensive efficiency rating.
Alabama State Basketball
Alabama State is having nearly as rough a season as its Monday night foe, recording a 10-21 overall record in 2025-26.
In head coach Tony Madlock’s fourth season at the helm, his Hornets look to make a second consecutive NCAA Tournament after hoisting the SWAC Tournament trophy last season.
Asjon Anderson is having a phenomenal final collegiate season, posting nearly 15 points per game. Anderson, who previously played for both Queens University and Utah Tech, is averaging more than two rebounds and three assists per game.
He leads a Hornets offense scoring over 73 points per contest this season.
Madlock’s bunch boasts excellent guard play with a ton of experience. Alongside Anderson, guard Micah Simpson is scoring 13.9 points per game. He's definitely the most versatile player on Morton’s roster, thriving as an elite two-way athlete while also tallying nearly four assists on average.
Tyler Byrd is having himself a solid season as well, recording just over 10 points per contest.
Alabama State’s offense is scoring upwards of 73 points per game while ranking 325th in offensive efficiency rating, per KenPom.
On the other end of the floor, while the Hornets have been slightly more efficient, their defense is still allowing opponents to score 78 points per game.
Jerquarius Stanback has been an excellent rim protector for Morton’s defense and is definitely the most effective defender on the roster.
Per KenPom, the Hornets rank 257th nationally in defensive efficiency rating.
Alcorn State vs. Alabama State Betting Analysis
Monday night’s SWAC clash features two opponents who have been trending downwards for the majority of their campaigns.
The winner of the 11th-seeded Braves and 10th-seeded Hornets will go on to face the eighth-ranked team in the conference: Prairie View A&M.
While both teams have been horrific over the course of the season, I think Alabama State is the superior team in this matchup on both ends of the floor.
The Hornets won the first meeting between these SWAC foes in early January, a 15-point home victory, and I expect more of the same here, with Alabama State advancing to the second round.
My Pick: Alabama State ML Parlay Target | Alabama State 1H ATS
