The No. 16 Alabama Crimson Tide host the Auburn Tigers on Saturday night in an SEC college basketball matchup. The game tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The Crimson Tide are listed as 7.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook with the total set at O/U 177.5 points. Below is my full preview, prediction and pick for this SEC college basketball matchup.
Alabama vs. Auburn prediction, preview
The Auburn Tigers had a poor SEC campaign, with a 7-10 record in conference play. Auburn has no chance of making it to the NCAA Tournament outside of going on a Cinderella run through the SEC Tournament. The Tigers have lost seven of their last nine games down the stretch, but would love to upset their rivals to end the regular season. Auburn has a couple of incredibly talented players. Sophomore guard Tahaad Pettiford is an excellent player, averaging over 15 points per game. Meanwhile, Keyshawn Hall is averaging 20.6 points per game, the fourth-most in the SEC this season. However, Auburn struggles to get stops, which is bad news against this Alabama team.
Alabama is one of the most exciting teams in the country. The Crimson Tide are the highest-scoring team in the nation, averaging 92 points per game. Nobody in the country shot more three-pointers or made more three-pointers this season. Alabama ranks fourth in the nation in adjusted tempo and has no problem getting into a track meet with any opponent. Alabama is led by sophomore guard Labaron Philon Jr., who is averaging 21.5 points per game. That makes him the second-highest scorer in the SEC this season. The Crimson Tide made the Final Four last season and have all the capabilities of getting back there again. However, due to their volatile playing style, they could also get upset by anybody in the postseason.
Alabama vs. Auburn pick
My best bet for this game is on the over 177.5 total points. It’s hard not to bet overs in games involving Alabama. The Crimson Tide are one of the five highest-paced teams in the country. They have an elite individual scorer and have a group of supporting players who can score in bunches when they catch fire. Alabama knows its opponents are going to score as well, but it trusts that it will come out on top in the end. For example, in the first matchup between Alabama and Auburn this season, the Crimson Tide won 96-92 in a thriller.
In this regular-season finale, Alabama will be urged on by a packed home crowd to keep scoring in this game. Meanwhile, Auburn has the players to keep up with Alabama in a track meet, as evidenced in the first matchup. Auburn has nothing left to play for this season but to knock down its archrival. Both of these teams should go pedal to the metal from start to finish, pushing this game over this high total.
