15* SEC PLAY OF THE DAY on Alabama -5

Alabama vs. South Carolina, 01/25/2012 20:00 EDT, Score: 54 - 56

Point Spread: -5/-107 Alabama

Sportsbook: 5Dimes

Result: Loss

The Alabama Crimson Tide are the real deal this season. They have played the eighth-toughest schedule in the country thus far. The Tide have managed a 13-6 record against this schedule while outscoring opponents by 9.1 points/game on average.

South Carolina is getting way too much respect with this line tonight. The Gamecocks are just 8-10 on the season despite playing the 174th-toughest schedule in the country. They stand no chance of keeping this one close tonight.

Alabama is going to be highly motivated to get back into the win column tonight following three straight losses. Those three setbacks came against the other three best teams in the SEC at Mississippi State (52-56, vs. Vanderbilt (59-69), and at Kentucky (71-77). After playing that daunting schedule, Alabama will feel like South Carolina is a high school team. They'll make easy work of the Gamecocks.

The Gamecocks are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games following a S.U. loss. South Carolina is 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games as a home underdog of 0.5-6.5. The Gamecocks are 4-12 ATS in their last 16 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. The Crimson Tide are 3-0-1 ATS in the last 4 meetings. The favorite is 7-2-2 ATS in the last 11 meetings. Roll with Alabama Wednesday.