The No. 4 Auburn Tigers (25-7) battle against the No. 13 Charleston Cougars (26-7) in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl. The game is scheduled to get underway at 7:27 p.m. ET on Friday, March 16, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 148 points with Auburn set as a 9-point favorite.
Charleston Cougars vs. Auburn Tigers ATS Prediction
The Cougars will be hoping for a similar result after defeating the Northeastern Huskies in the Colonial Conference Tourney, 83-76. One of Charleston’s biggest advantages was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 21-22 (95.5 percent), while the Huskies were just 7-9 (77.8 percent). With 32 points on 7-for-16 shooting, Joe Chealey was the game’s high scorer.
In the Southeastern Conference Tourney, the Tigers were blown out by the Alabama Crimson Tide, 81-63. One of Alabama’s biggest advantages was getting to the free throw line. They had 30 free throw attempts, while Auburn had 22. With 15 points and eight rebounds, DeSean Murray put together a solid game for Auburn.
This battle figures to be a high-scoring affair as a pair of the nation’s best offenses faces off. Auburn ranks 25th with 114.6 points per 100 possessions and Charleston is 41st (113.0). Moreover, the Cougars rank seventh in turnover percentage (14.5 percent), while the Tigers rank 52nd in opponents’ turnover percentage (21.0 percent).
Charleston heads into the game with records of 26-7 straight up (SU) and 14-14-1 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Cougars have a tendency to finish over the projected point total (58.6 percent).
Meanwhile, Auburn owns records of 25-7 SU and 18-11 ATS. Unlike Charleston, games involving the Tigers have a slight tendency to go under the total (51.7 percent).
Grant Riller has averaged 25.8 points over the last five games for Charleston.
Charleston Cougars vs. Auburn Tigers ATS Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Auburn, ATS Winner – Auburn, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Auburn ranks 52nd in rebounds per game (38.2) while Charleston ranks 259th (33.0).
The Tigers rank 36th in steals per game (7.4) while the Cougars rank 215th (5.2).
Auburn ranks 106th in assists per game (14.4) while Charleston ranks 268th (11.4).
The Tigers rank 24th in three-pointers attempted per game (26.6) while the Cougars rank 183rd (21.2).
Auburn averages 5.4 blocks per game, which ranks 11th in the NCAA. Charleston ranks 109th in blocks allowed per game (3.2).
Bettings Trends:
The Cougars’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.0, up from 6.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Tigers have scored an average of 76.0 points per game (7.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 77.0 points per game (3.7 above their season average).
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