Auburn Tigers (21-6) vs. Tennessee Volunteers (21-6)
The Auburn Tigers take on the Tennessee Volunteers in a clash between two ranked SEC rivals. Both teams come into this matchup with 21-6 records overall. This critical late-season showdown could have major implications on SEC Tournament seeding and March Madness odds. With the college basketball regular season winding down, this is one of the March Madness free picks college hoops fans won’t want to miss.
The Auburn Tigers boast one of the most efficient offenses in the country, ranking 5th in adjusted offensive efficiency at 117.9 points per 100 possessions. The Tigers are led by dominant big man Johni Broome, who is averaging 16.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. Broome’s ability to protect the rim on defense and score inside and out on offense makes Auburn a matchup nightmare. If he gets rolling, the Volunteers could be in trouble.
On the other side, Tennessee Volunteers have proven they should not be underestimated with an offense averaging 80.3 points per game and shooting accuracy marked by 45.6% field goal percentage and 34.5% from three-point range – both vital in close games. Furthermore, their balanced team effort has resulted in 39.1 rebounding average per game as well as 8.1 steals and 4.8 blocks per contest against opponents’ defensive strategies; yet their road performance against spread betting stands at just 4-8; this may influence betting trends for this matchup.
Auburn Tigers vs. Tennessee Volunteers Game Info
| When: | Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Thompson-Boling Arena |
| TV: | ESPN2 |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Johni Broome (Forward) vs. Dalton Knecht (Guard)
Johni Broome has been a revelation in his first season for Auburn after transferring from Morehead State. The 6’10” big man is averaging 16.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and a whopping 2.4 blocks per game. He scores efficiently, shooting 55.1% from the field and 36.8% from three. Broome is a force on both ends, using his size and athleticism to protect the rim while also having the offensive skills to score inside and out. He could create matchup problems for Tennessee’s frontcourt.
The task of containing Broome will fall primarily to Dalton Knecht, Tennessee’s leading scorer. Knecht is averaging 20.1 points while shooting 47.7% from the field and 40.3% from three. The 6’3″ guard is capable of going off for big scoring nights and will need to be at his best against Auburn’s stout defense. While Knecht has the offensive firepower to match Broome, his size disadvantage could make defending the 6’10” big man a real challenge. If Knecht gets into early foul trouble, it would really hurt Tennessee’s ability to keep pace on the scoreboard. This matchup will be a great battle between one of the SEC’s top scorers and dominant big men.
NCAAB Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
With the betting odds yet to be determined, insights and recommendations are pending. However, the evenly matched records and the strengths of each team suggest a closely contested game.
Auburn Tigers Betting Trends
Auburn has gone 3-2 against the spread (ATS) in their last 5 games. Over their last 12 road games, the Tigers are 7-5 ATS. The over has hit in 3 of Auburn’s previous 5 matchups. In Auburn’s last 15 away contests, the over has hit 7 times.
Tennessee Volunteers Betting Trends
In their last 5 outings, Tennessee has gone 3-2 ATS. The Volunteers have struggled to cover at home lately, going just 4-8 ATS in their previous 12 games in Knoxville. The under has been the play in 2 of Tennessee’s last 5 contests. Despite some overs in their last 15 home games (7), the under has hit in 2 of the Vols’ most recent 5 games.
Auburn Tigers vs. Tennessee Volunteers 2/28/24 Betting Picks
Given the strengths and performances of both teams, this game promises to be thrilling. A key battle will occur between Johni Broome and Dalton Knecht; each has the power to turn the tide of battle in their team’s favor.
Given both teams’ offensive capabilities and recent trends, betting on an OVER in total points may seem tempting; however, any final strategy must take into account announced odds and spread. When searching for the ideal live betting website, it’s critical that odds be closely monitored up until game time for any shifts that could provide extra betting value.
