For the first time since 2018, Arizona and Auburn will face each other. No. 2 Arizona hosts No. 20 Auburn tonight at 10:00 p.m. ET. The Tigers have a 2-0 all-time series lead over the Wildcats. Arizona enters this game with a perfect 7-0 record, as Auburn is 7-2 in its first nine contests.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, Arizona is an -8.5-point favorite, with the game’s over/under set at 161.5 points. Here is my best bet for tonight’s Auburn vs. Arizona matchup.
Auburn vs. Arizona (10:00 p.m. ET)
Arizona has won all three of its games this season against top-15 opponents. The Wildcats have had four home games this season, but this is their first game in Tucson against a ranked team. Arizona has five players averaging double-digit points per contest this season, with freshman Koa Peat leading the way with 15.6. The Wildcats have only allowed 73 or fewer points in their previous six contests.
On KenPom, Arizona is ranked No. 9 while Auburn is No. 20. Arizona has the 12th-best offensive and defensive rating. The Tigers have the 13th offensive rating but the 59th defensive rating.
Auburn has four players in double figures per game as Keyshawn Hall leads the team in scoring and rebounds with 21 points and 9.1 boards per game. Tahaad Pettiford is Auburn’s lead guard and is averaging 14.1 points per game.
Arizona has won four of its seven games this season by at least nine points. In their three biggest games of the season, they beat Florida by six and UCLA and UConn by four points. But this is an excellent opportunity for the Wildcats to pick up a big victory on their home floor. If Arizona can slow down Pettiford early and contain Hall’s production, they should be able to cover the spread of -8.5.
