Alabama State Hornets vs St. Francis (pa) Red Flash Picks and Predictions March 18th 2025

Saint Francis, Alabama State Clash for Right to Face No. 1 Auburn

The Saint Francis Red Flash (16-17, No. 16 seed) and Alabama State Hornets (19-15, No. 16 seed) square off Tuesday night in Dayton, Ohio, with the winner advancing to face top-seeded Auburn in the South Region first round on Thursday in Lexington, Ky.

For the latest insights, Pick Page, and Odds Page updates, and expert picks, visit the Expert Betting Guide for full tournament analysis.

Both teams secured their NCAA Tournament berths by winning their conference tournaments, and now they look to keep their seasons alive in the First Four.

Saint Francis Makes Historic Return to March Madness

The Red Flash are back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 34 years, after claiming the Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament title with a 46-43 upset win over top-seeded Central Connecticut.

This is only the second NCAA Tournament appearance for Saint Francis, with their first coming in 1991, when they lost to No. 2 Arizona (93-80) after winning a play-in game that didn’t officially count as an NCAA victory.

Head coach Rob Krimmel, who has been with the program since 1996 as a player and coach, is thrilled for his team’s moment.

“You see the reaction on Selection Sunday. That’s something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives,” Krimmel said.

Key Players for Saint Francis:

• Riley Parker (13.4 PPG, 3.4 APG) – Team’s top scorer and playmaker.
• Valentino Pinedo (10.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 0.7 BPG) – Defensive anchor and rebounding leader.
• Juan Cranford Jr. (10.0 PPG) – Versatile scoring option.

Alabama State Rides Late-Season Surge

The Hornets return to March Madness for the first time since 2011 after winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Tournament, defeating Jackson State 60-56 in the championship game.

This marks Alabama State’s fifth NCAA Tournament appearance, but they are still searching for their first-ever tournament win, as they’ve been a No. 16 seed in all previous trips.

Head coach Tony Madlock praised his squad’s resilience.

“We got hot at the right time and started playing our best basketball in February,” Madlock said. “We took it one game at a time, and once we won the first one, we felt we had a good chance.”

Key Players for Alabama State:

• CJ Hines (14.4 PPG) – The Hornets’ leading scorer.
• Amarr Knox (14.3 PPG, 1.7 SPG) – Second-leading scorer and top defender.
• TJ Madlock (12.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.6 APG) – Coach’s son and all-around contributor.
• Jasteven Walker (0.8 BPG) – Defensive presence in the paint.

The Hornets finished the season on a six-game winning streak, including a key win over regular-season champion Southern on March 6.

Betting Insights & NCAA Tournament Outlook

• Saint Francis is making just its second NCAA Tournament appearance.
• Alabama State is seeking its first-ever NCAA Tournament win.
• Winner faces No. 1 Auburn in the first round of the South Region.
• College Basketball Championship Odds shifting as March Madness begins.
• John Wooden Award Odds, College Basketball Championship Odds, and First Four betting lines continue to shift.

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Final Thoughts

Can Saint Francis continue its Cinderella run, or will Alabama State secure its first-ever NCAA Tournament win? With a chance to take on No. 1 Auburn at stake, expect an intense battle in Dayton.