The Auburn Tigers (12-1) put their 10-game winning streak on the line when they go head-to-head with the No. 23 Tennessee Volunteers (9-3, 0-1 SEC) at Thompson-Boling Arena. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, and will air on ESPNU.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 153.5 points with Tennessee opening as a 6-point favorite.
Auburn Tigers at Tennessee Volunteers Free Prediction
In the Tigers’ last game, they blew out the Cornell Big Red, 98-77. The Tigers held the Big Red to an offensive rebounding percentage of 18.6 (below their season average of 26.3). The Big Red had a free throw rate of 0.217 (below the 0.274 mark opponents have averaged against Auburn this season). Auburn was lifted by Chuma Okeke, who had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Volunteers lost a tough one against the Arkansas Razorbacks in their last outing, 95-93. Getting to the free throw line was one of Arkansas’ biggest advantages. They made 33 trips to the line, while Tennessee went 26 times. With 21 points on 7-for-16 shooting, Jordan Bone was Tennessee’s leading scorer.
It could be an error-filled game for the Tennessee offense. Tennessee ranks 203rd in the NCAA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 19.3 percent), while the disruptive defense of Auburn forces the 100th-most turnovers in the nation (21.0 percent). Additionally, the Tigers could control the offensive glass in this matchup as they rank 16th in the NCAA in offensive rebounding percentage at 37.3 percent. The Volunteers, meanwhile, rank 286th in defensive rebounding percentage (68.1 percent).
Auburn comes into the contest with records of 12-1 straight up (SU) and 6-4 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to set the total low when the Tigers are involved, as 60.0 percent of their games have ended over the total.
Meanwhile, Tennessee owns records of 9-3 SU and 6-4 ATS. Much like Auburn, games featuring the Volunteers also tend to finish over the total (55.6 percent).
Jared Harper has averaged 14.0 points and 6.6 assists over the last five games for Auburn.
After the Volunteers won the lone contest against the Tigers last season, 87-77, these teams will clash for the first time this year. The Volunteers had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (29.7 vs. 22.0) and had a better free throw rate (0.349 vs. 0.273).
Auburn Tigers vs. Tennessee Volunteers Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Auburn, ATS Winner – Auburn, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Auburn is 4-2 ATS with 3 overs and 3 unders.
Tennessee is 1-3 ATS at home with 2 unders and 1 over.
Tennessee ranks 50th in three pointers allowed per game (19.8) while Auburn ranks 210th (24.3).
The Tigers rank 12th in rebounds per game (42.0) while the Volunteers rank 143rd in rebounds allowed per game (35.7).
Tennessee ranks 23rd in assists per game (17.8) while Auburn ranks 101st in assists allowed per game (12.8).
The Volunteers rank 66th in steals per game (7.1) while the Tigers rank 136th in steals allowed per game (7.0).
Auburn ranks fifth in blocks per game (6.8) while Tennessee ranks 40th in blocks allowed per game (2.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Auburn is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Tennessee is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Tigers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.2, down from 14.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Volunteers have scored an average of 78.4 points per game (0.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 73.0 points per game (4.8 above their season average).
