The No. 17 Auburn Tigers (16-1, 4-0 SEC) will attempt to continue their 14-game winning streak against the Alabama Crimson Tide (11-6, 3-2 SEC) at Coleman Coliseum. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, and will air on SEC Network.
Auburn is a 1.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 155.5 points.
Auburn Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Free Prediction
The Tigers will be looking for a similar outcome after beating the Mississippi State Bulldogs in their last contest, 76-68. Auburn’s turnover percentage was their largest advantage over Mississippi State. The Tigers had a rate of 8.6 (better than their season average of 15.0), while the Bulldogs posted a mark of 14.9. With 23 points on 6-for-13 shooting, Bryce Brown was the game’s high scorer.
The last time the Crimson Tide played, they defeated the LSU Tigers, 74-66. Alabama won the rebounding battle. The Crimson Tide had more offensive rebounds (12 vs. five), defensive rebounds (28 vs. 19) and total rebounds (40 vs. 24). Dazon Ingram was Alabama’s high scorer with 18 points on 4-for-5 shooting.
The physical Alabama offense seems poised to dominate from the charity stripe. The Crimson Tide rank 40th in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.289, while Auburn ranks 286th in FTA rate allowed (0.279).
Auburn comes into the contest with records of 16-1 straight up (SU) and 10-4 against the spread (ATS). There does not appear to be a trend for Tigers games in regards to the projected point total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Meanwhile, Alabama owns records of 11-6 SU and 8-7-1 ATS. Vegas is known to place the total high when the Crimson Tide are involved, as nine of their 14 games have gone under the total.
After the Tigers won both contests against the Crimson Tide last season, these teams will battle for the first time this year. In the most recent contest, Auburn won 82-77. Auburn made 15 of its 27 three pointers (55.6 percent). Alabama, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (50.0 vs. 21.2).
Auburn Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Alabama, ATS Winner – Alabama, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Auburn is 6-2 ATS on the road with 4 overs and 4 unders.
Alabama is 3-3-1 ATS at home with 5 unders and 1 over.
Auburn ranks 42nd in three pointers attempted per game (25.5) while Alabama ranks 213th (19.1).
The Tigers rank ninth in rebounds per game (41.5) while the Crimson Tide rank 175th in rebounds allowed per game (36.1).
Auburn ranks sixth in blocks per game (6.3) while Alabama ranks 79th in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
The Tigers rank 65th in steals per game (7.1) while the Crimson Tide rank 113th in steals allowed per game (6.5).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Auburn is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Alabama is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Tigers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 13.0, down from 13.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Crimson Tide have scored an average of 70.0 points per game (4.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 65.2 points per game (4.6 below their season average).
