SWAC basketball fans are in for a thrilling showdown as the Alabama State Hornets host the Florida A&M Rattlers this Saturday. With postseason implications on the line, both teams aim to solidify their conference standings in this critical matchup. Alabama State, holding an 8-5 SWAC record, faces a surging Florida A&M squad that has won nine of their last ten games.
BetMGM lists the Hornets as 4.5-point favorites, with an over/under set at 145.5 points.
The Hornets’ home-court advantage has been formidable this season, boasting a 6-2 record at Montgomery’s Dunn-Oliver Acadome. However, their tendency to struggle in close games (6-10 in contests decided by double digits) could be a vulnerability against Florida A&M’s disciplined play.
Key factors to watch include Alabama State’s three-point shooting prowess (9.3 made per game) versus Florida A&M’s perimeter defense (7.3 allowed). The Rattlers counter with their own sharpshooting, averaging 9.5 threes per game—1.3 more than Alabama State typically permits.
Top performers to watch:
- Alabama State: Amarr Knox (14.9 PPG, 1.5 SPG) and Antonio Madlock (13.9 PPG last 10 games)
- Florida A&M: Sterling Young (15.8 PPG) and Milton Matthews (18.2 PPG last 10 games)
Florida A&M’s recent dominance stems from minimizing turnovers, going undefeated (6-0) when winning the turnover battle. Alabama State must leverage their rebounding strength (34.1 per game) to control the tempo.
With both teams showcasing contrasting strengths, this SWAC showdown promises high-intensity action and strategic chess moves from the sidelines. The outcome could significantly impact conference tournament seeding as March Madness approaches.