College Basketball: Auburn vs. Alabama Betting Analysis & Pick

Auburn at Alabama Prediction

It’s going to be a great Saturday for college basketball viewing and betting when number one Auburn takes on number two Alabama. This will be one of the biggest games of the year, rivaling the tournament’s final rounds, a “must bet” action for any college basketball sports fan.
The game starts at 1:00 p.m. PST and will be nationally televised on ESPN.

Auburn comes in at 22-2, ‘Bama 21-3.
Last Saturday, the Tigers got tagged with their second loss of the season, losing at home to #6 Florida. Despite the loss, Auburn held on to the number one spot based on their overall body of work this season. They followed up the loss with an 80-68 win over Vandy on Tuesday.

When former #2 Duke lost to Clemson last week, Alabama rolled into the #2 spot with wins over Arkansas and then Texas, setting up this matchup between #1 and #2, unbelievably the first time in SEC history where two teams from the conference meet ranked one and two. This is the first meeting between these two teams this season (they split last year, and each team is winning at home). They’ll play again on March 8th.

Let’s look at the losses for both teams.
Two of three of the Tide’s losses came back in November. They lost at #13 Purdue and then by two points at home to Oregon. Their third loss came at home in mid-January to #21 Ole Miss.
Two of those three losses have come at home, something to keep in mind looking at this game against Auburn, another home contest.

The Tiger’s first loss came back in December at #9 Duke; the second was last week’s loss to Florida at home.

Despite near-equal records and home-court advantage, the Tide are underdogs in this one. The visiting Tigers opened at -4’ and were quickly bought up to -5.

Alabama has the number one scoring offense in the country, averaging 90.5 PPG; Auburn averages 84.8.

The Tigers have the better defense, giving up just 67.7 PPG, while the Tide gives up 78.5.

In my handicap on this game, I’m flying blind on Auburn, having not seen them play yet this season. I have seen Alabama twice. I caught their last two games, against Vandy and Texas, and was impressed. Against the Longhorns ‘Bama broke 100 points. It was the seventh time they’ve done so this year.

Massey has Auburn with the number two toughest schedule in the nation. Tough to beat that number but ‘Bama does it as he ranks them at #1. The records are equal, the scoring offense is pretty equal, the SOS is equal. The only real difference between these two is defense, where Auburn has a clear edge.
But ‘Bama is at home, and the spread looks right to me. I also like the fact that they’re 4-0 as dogs this season, beating Houston, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Mississippi State.

I’m taking the points with the home underdogs.
High Tide!

My play:

Alabama (waiting to buy this one as the line is moving in my direction, and the game is still three days away. I expect more money to come in on Auburn, so I can probably get better than the current +5′.)

Record: 0-0 (This is my first college basketball pick in articles this season.)