The Auburn Tigers (21-9, 10-7 SEC) welcome the fifth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers (27-3, 15-2 SEC) to Auburn Arena as the regular season finishes up. Action gets underway at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 9, 2019, and can be seen on ESPN.
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Auburn Tigers ATS Odds
Both teams defeated their last opponent. The Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 66-60, while the Volunteers beat the Mississippi State Bulldogs 71-54.
Tennessee dominated every facet of the game. They had an effective field goal percentage of 0.475 (below their season average of 0.558) and a turnover percentage of 18.0 (worse than their season average of 13.8). For those same stats, Mississippi State had marks of 0.368 and 20.3, respectively. The Tigers, meanwhile, forced 19 turnovers and held the Crimson Tide to an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.8 (below their season average of 31.3). Auburn was led by Chuma Okeke, who recorded 17 points and 14 rebounds. Grant Williams, meanwhile led the way for Tennessee, putting up 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Tigers won the sole contest between these two teams last year, 94-84. The Tigers’ turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over the Volunteers. Auburn had a rate of 10.3, while Tennessee posted a mark of 16.8. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength as the prolific offense of Auburn takes on the elite defense of Tennessee. The Tigers rank 30th in offensive efficiency, while the Volunteers are 37th in defensive efficiency. Also, the Volunteers commit the 22nd-fewest errors in the country (turnover percentage of 15.9 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of the Tigers causes the most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 25.6 percent).
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Auburn Tigers Betting Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Auburn, ATS Winner – Auburn, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Auburn ranks seventh in three pointers attempted per game (29.4) while Tennessee ranks 257th (19.0).
- The Volunteers average 37.9 rebounds per game, which ranks 45th in the NCAA. The Tigers rank 156th in rebounds allowed per game (35.2).
- Tennessee ranks fourth in assists per game (18.7) while Auburn ranks 75th (14.7).
- The Volunteers rank fourth in blocks per game (5.5) while the Tigers rank 131st in blocks allowed per game (3.6).
- Auburn ranks ninth in steals per game (9.1) while Tennessee ranks 135th (6.1).
Bettings Trends:
- The Volunteers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.6, down from 15.3 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Tigers have scored an average of 71.2 points per game (6.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.2 points per game (3.3 above their season average).
