R obert Morris will take on Alabama on Friday in the NCAA Tournament thanks, in part, to the adoption of an athletic philosophy honed at Alabama. You can’t make this stuff up, which is part of the magic and the madness of March. The connection is Colonials Athletic Director Chris King, who used to be an associate AD for the Crimson Tide.

All-America guard Mark Sears scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half and second-seeded Alabama pulled away late to escape 15th-seeded Robert Morris 90-81 in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Analyzing Friday’s Robert Morris vs. Alabama odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.