College Basketball Picks & Predictions: Florida vs. Auburn (Saturday)
Welcome to another Saturday college basketball slate as we inch closer and closer to March. The resumes are shaping into place and bracketologists everywhere are coming out of the woodwork as the bubble debate begins to heat up.
I get the Super Bowl is tomorrow but what a slate we have today with 154 different games. Many teams are jockeying for conference seeding and there are some under-the-radar matchups I highly advise watching (looking at you, UC Irvine).
After starting the year rough, it's been a great last month or so. If you only look at the picks I've given out in this article, we’ve been nothing but successful. Let's keep that momentum going, shall we?
Here are our top college basketball picks and predictions for Saturday’s game Florida vs. Auburn.
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Saturday's Best College Basketball Bets: Florida vs. Auburn
Last Article: 2-1 | Season (Articles): 29-22 | Season (Overall): 101-111-1
Florida vs. Auburn
Location: Neville Arena | Auburn, AL
Line: Auburn -8.5 | Total: 156.5
To give an understanding as to how good Auburn has been this season the difference between them (first) and Florida (fifth) is the same as Florida to Missouri (22nd) on KenPom. You have a top-five matchup and this spread might get to double digits. Luckily for Florida, Walter Clayton is expected back after missing the last game with an injury. He will be much needed against this Auburn defense.
In the last month of play, the Tigers’ defense has only gotten better within the gauntlet of the SEC. But Auburn hasn't faced an offense with the rebounding prowess of Florida. The Gators’ near proximity offense is elite and despite Auburn's interior defense, the Tigers are not the best at limiting second-chance conversions, ranking 192nd in that area.
While Auburn hasn't seen a team like Florida, the Gators haven't seen a team or an offense like Auburn. The Tigers don't turn the ball over, score in transition and can get a bucket anywhere on the court. But the Gators counter with a perimeter defense that's one of the best in basketball. There's nothing easy about scoring on Florida and Todd Golden's squad won't allow Auburn to get away with fouling either, as the Tigers might on the other end with the shifty frontcourt of Florida.
Auburn has been elite at home with a 6-3 against the spread (ATS) record but this is an insanely high number for a top-five opponent. The Tigers will limit Florida down low with a high block rate from Johni Broome and company, but the offensive rebounding and Florida's perimeter defense will keep this game close and competitive.
Prediction: Auburn 82, Florida 77
Best Bet: Florida +9.5 (-110 at BetMGM)