Tonight in Newark, New Jersey, the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils will take on the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2025 Elite Eight. This game will start at 8:49 p.m. ET. Duke beat Arizona 100-93 in the Sweet Sixteen while Alabama blew out BYU by 25 points.
Here is my pick for Sunday’s Elite Eight matchup between the Tigers and the Spartans.
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Auburn vs. Michigan State (5:05 p.m. ET)
Johni Broome is the Tigers’ best player and did have an incredible game against Michigan. Broome totaled 22 points and 16 rebounds, but there were two difference-makers for Auburn who stepped up. Guards Denver Jones and Tahaad Pettiford each scored 20 points against the Wolverines. Auburn is a -4.5 favorite against Michigan State in the Elite Eight on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Michigan State has only two players averaging double-digit points and has only scored 80 or more points once in its previous six games. The Spartons are led by guards Jase Richardson and Jaden Akins. But beyond those two players, Michigan State lacks the depth and frontcourt needed to beat Auburn. Broome will be matched up with Jaxon Kohler and Coen Carr. That is a major advantage for Broome and the Tigers, and it seems like he will be hard to stop in this contest.
Auburn has five players averaging 10-plus points and the necessary team to slow Michigan State down throughout the game. The Tigers have won their last 13 games by five or more points. Getting Auburn at -4.5 is a good play with the emergence of the Tigers’ backcourt.
College Basketball Pick: Auburn -4.5
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