The Alabama Crimson Tide (16-11) welcome the Auburn Tigers (11-16) to Coleman Coliseum as the regular season wraps up. The game gets underway at 5:00 pm ET on Saturday, Feb. 27 and will air on SEC and ES3.
The Crimson Tide got blown out by Kentucky 78-53 on Tuesday. Retin Obasohan finished with 29 points to lead the game. The Tigers are coming off an 84-81 win over Georgia on Wednesday. Jordon Granger played well and claimed his first double-double of the season, posting 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Obasohan has been playing at a high level as of late for the Crimson Tide, averaging 23.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.0 three-pointer over the last five games.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Tigers won the first game 83-77. Cinmeon Bowers played a huge role in the victory by recording a double-double with 20 points and 18 rebounds.
The Crimson Tide are attempting to build on their records of 16-11 Straight Up (SU) and 15-11 Against The Spread (ATS). In their last 10 games, they are 3-7 ATS. The Alabama defense has done poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 78.7 points per game, well above their season average of 67.5. Opposing offenses have been stifled by the Crimson Tide, who allow a field goal percentage of only .403. An area where the Crimson Tide are particularly strong is shot blocking, where they average 5.0 blocks per game, 31st in Division I. Expect Alabama to have lots of opportunities at the line against the Tigers, who are one of the most foul-prone teams in the nation with an average of 21.6 fouls per game.
On the other side, the Tigers head into the game with records of 11-15 ATS and 11-16 SU. The Auburn defense has allowed an average of 68.9 points per game during the last 10 games, lower than their season average of 77.7.
Following the Tigers’ latest win over Alabama, Auburn is still behind in the head-to-head record over their most recent meetings, 3-7 SU. However, with a 6-4 record, Auburn has the advantage ATS. Alabama held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers once in the last five games, while Auburn wasn’t able to do so in that span.
Predictions: SU Winner – Auburn, ATS Winner – Auburn
Notes
“Alabama is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games “.
“The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Alabama’s last 5 games “.
“Alabama is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home”.
“Alabama is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games at home”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Alabama’s last 6 games at home”.
“Alabama is 6-13-1 ATS in its last 20 games when playing Auburn”.
“Alabama is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing Auburn”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Alabama’s last 10 games when playing Auburn”.
“Alabama is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Auburn”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Alabama’s last 5 games when playing at home against Auburn”.
Auburn scores an average of just 72.1 points per game (ranked 161st). Alabama ranks 66th in points allowed, giving up 67.5 points per game.
Alabama lost its last game by a 25-point margin. In games decided by a margin of 18 points or more, Auburn is 2-6. Alabama is 2-3 in blowouts this season.
The Auburn Tigers average 72.4 possessions per game and .996 points per possession. The Alabama Crimson Tide earn fewer possessions with 66.6, but they score more points with 1.007.
Alabama has an average effective field goal percentage of 49.8%. Auburn is an abysmal 3-13 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, the Alabama Crimson Tide attempt 22.0 three point field goals per game and the Auburn Tigers attempt 26.0. In games where they attempt at least 20 threes, Alabama is 12-9, while Auburn has a poor record of 10-16.
The Alabama Crimson Tide average 5.7 steals per game. When giving up 5 or more steals, the Auburn Tigers have an underachieving record (7-11) this season.
