The ninth seed, Auburn Tigers (21-2,10-8 SEC) aren’t any strangers to the NCAA Event. Though they’ve by no means gained a Nationwide Title, the Tigers superior to the 2019 Remaining 4, and have twelve whole NCAA Event appearances. The Tigers are coming off a powerful first spherical win over Iowa, 83-75. The Houston Cougars (32-3, 17-2 American) are coming off a primary spherical win towards Northern Kentucky, 63-52. Houston is ranked #2 within the nation and have by no means gained a NCAA Event Championship. Very like Auburn, they made it to the 2021-2022 regional remaining, and superior to the match twenty-four occasions. These two groups will play on Saturday at 7:10 EDT, within the Midwest Area, positioned in Birmingham, Alabama. The matchup will air on TBS. If you’re in search of one of the best betting odds, right here is data to know:
*All traces are taken from Draft Kings*
Cash Line:
Houston: -250Auburn: +210
Over/Beneath: 132
Over: -110Under: -110
Unfold:
Houston: -5.5(-110)Auburn: +5.5 (-110)
Houston
Houston had an unimpressive win towards sixteenth seed Northern Kentucky, 63-52 Thursday. The Cougars misplaced Marcus Sasser all through the sport resulting from damage, who solely shot 25 % from the 3-point line. This crew did out-rebound NKU 42-33 and shot 49 % from the sector. Houston dedicated 17 turnovers and have been in a position to safe the cash line.
Auburn
Auburn had a powerful win over eighth seed Iowa 83-75, hitting the over in spherical one of many NCAA Event. They coated the unfold by -1.5. Surprisingly, Auburn shot 36.4 % from the three-point vary, and 46 % from the sector. Though they have been outrebounded 44-38, they have been in a position to safe that cash line.
Houston Cougars
The Houston Cougars are coming off an unbelievable season, ending 32-3 general, and 17-1 within the AAC. Houston now has six straight seasons of 20 plus wins and not more than 8 losses in every of these seasons. Final yr, the Cougars misplaced to Villanova within the Elite Eight. Nonetheless, they’re poised to make a deep run once more this yr, and have the expertise to make it, if wholesome. Though Houston performed unbelievable this season, they’re solely 1-1 towards high 25 groups this yr. They gained towards Virginia, 69-61, and misplaced to Alabama, 71-65. Houston began their season with 9 straight wins and gained 22 of their final 25 video games. The Cougars ranked thirty eighth in energy of schedule and went 9-1 of their final ten video games. Houston has an unbelievable protection that ranks #2 within the nation in factors allowed. This groups permits solely 56.4 factors per recreation and holds opponents to 27.33% on three-point taking pictures. This Houston crew has a slower tempo and led the nation in opponent discipline aim proportion of 36.1. They excel defensively each on the perimeter and contained in the paint. Led by Senior guard Marcus Sasser, it is a full crew that performs very effectively on each side of the ball. They rank throughout the high 100 in assists, and proper outdoors the highest 100 in factors per recreation. Houston has been a constant program over time, and have extra stars, Jarace Walker and J’Wan Roberts to hold them by means of.
Auburn Tigers
The Auburn Tigers had an attention-grabbing season to say the least. Head Coach Bruce Pearl’s crew struggled at occasions. Very like Houston, Auburn has expertise within the NCAA Event. They’ve made 12 match appearances, and misplaced within the second spherical final yr. They completed 21-12 in a aggressive SEC, which resulted in a seventh general convention end. The Tigers completed 10-8 within the convention, six video games behind Alabama. Auburn began off the season on fireplace, profitable their first eight video games. Of their remaining 24 video games, they completed simply 12-12. This system had spectacular wins over Arkansas, and Tennessee. Nonetheless, they’re 2-3 towards high 25 groups, and took two key losses towards Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee. After analyzing all of the wins and difficult losses, it’s necessary to notice the Tigers ranked eighth in energy in schedule. They rank center of the pack in factors per recreation, assists per recreation, and rank 321st in three- pointers made at 31.5 %. This crew exhibits defensive strengths, nonetheless not as sturdy as Houston. They rank high 100 in factors allowed, thirtieth in opponent discipline aim proportion, and rank high 5 in opponent three-point proportion. Sophomore Johni Broome has offered protection down beneath, rating high 65 in blocks. The Auburn Tigers beat Iowa within the first spherical of the match. Nonetheless, they haven’t been in a position to shut out shut video games, particularly towards West Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt. They rank eighty fifth, with a degree differential of ONLY +5.7 factors.
Houston
Marcus Sasser (Guard, Groin) Recreation Time Resolution. Sasser claims he’s “100%” taking part in vs. Auburn as of three/18/2023.Mylik Wilson (Guard, non-injury associated) Out for the SeasonRamon Walker Jr. (Guard, private) Out for the Season
Auburn
Likelihood Westry (Guard, Knee) Out for the Season
Houston
Senior guard Marcus Sasser has arguably been considered one of their high gamers this season. He’s the ACC participant of the yr for a cause. Sasser is averaging 16.7 factors per recreation, which ranks 127th within the nation. He provides over three assists per recreation, together with a number of rebounds. Marcus is taking pictures a powerful 38.2 % from the 3-point this season, and 84 free throw proportion. He provides protection to this crew, averaging 1.6 steals per recreation. He scored greater than 20 factors six occasions in a row this season, and had his finest efficiency towards ECU within the American Athletic Convention Semifinal. He contributed 30 factors on 60 discipline aim proportion, and shot 100% from the free throw line. He knocked down 4-9 three- level photographs. Nonetheless, Sasser struggled with a latest groin damage, and was held out of Houston’s loss towards Memphis. He tried to make a return within the first spherical towards Northern Kentucky. Nonetheless, he was nonetheless injured, and completed with 5 factors on 2-5 taking pictures. If he’s 100%, I belief this Houston crew shifting ahead.
Junior Ahead J’Wan Roberts leads Houston in rebounds with 7.9 boards per recreation. He provides a strong 10.4 factors per recreation, and shoots 64 % from the sector. He additionally averages greater than 1 block per recreation.
Anticipate Freshman Ahead Jarace Walker to make an influence within the match run. He provides 11.2 factors per recreation, with 6.6 rebounds, and shoots 47.8 % from the sector. He offered three blocks Within the American Athletic Convention Championship Remaining loss towards Memphis. Walker additionally has 9 blocks in his final 5 video games.
Auburn
Sophomore Ahead Johni Broome leads the tigers in 14.2 factors per recreation, which ranks 150+. As well as, he’s tied 63rd in rebounds with 8.5. Additionally, Broome shoots effectively over 50 % from the sector. Broome was extraordinarily spectacular within the first-round win towards Iowa, including 19 factors and 5 blocks. He shot 100% from the three-point line and snagged 12 rebounds. Broome stands at 6 foot 10, and averages 2.4 blocks per recreation. He’s a strong rim protector, that may play wonderful inside protection, and may rating. He’s not one of the best three-point shooter, solely averaging 30 %.
Auburn has 4 gamers who common double digits in factors, together with guard Wendell Inexperienced Jr, ahead Jaylin Williams, and guard Allen Flanigan. They aren’t the very best 3-point shooters. Nonetheless, all of them shoot above 44 % from the sector, and supply defensive stability.
• Houston averaged 75 factors per recreation in the course of the common season.
• Auburn averaged 75 factors per recreation in the course of the common season.
• Houston ranks 2nd in factors allowed with 56.4 opponents factors per recreation.
• Auburn ranks 98th in factors allowed with 67.3 opponents factors per recreation.
• Houston ranks nineteenth in rebounds per recreation with 38.9
• Auburn ranks 88th in rebounds per recreation with 36.3
• Houston ranks 1st in level differential at +18.3
• Auburn ranks eighty fifth in level differential at +5.7
• Houston ranks twenty fifth in blocked photographs with 4.7 per recreation.
• Auburn ranks thirteenth in blocked photographs with 5.1 per recreation.
• Houston averages 34.5 % from the 3-point, whereas Auburn averages 31.4 % past the arc.
SPREAD: Auburn + 5.5
–Houston coated the unfold in simply TWO of their final 10 video games.
–Auburn coated the unfold in simply FOUR of their final 10 video games.
–Houston has a 18-17-0 file ATS this season.
–Auburn has a 16-17-0 file ATS this season.
– Auburn coated the unfold +10 towards the #1 program within the nation, Alabama.
Each groups proved why they need to be within the match. Houston is an elite crew, rating within the high defensive class. Auburn holds their very own on the defensive entrance. If Auburn can sustain on the rebounds, restrict turnovers, and make good photographs, they’ll sustain. Neither of those groups are extremely ranked so far as 3-point proportion goes. Give me Auburn +5.5
MONEY LINE: Houston
–Houston gained the Cash Line 9 out of their final 10 video games
–Auburn gained the Cash Line 4 of their final 10 video games.
If Marcus Sasser is totally wholesome, as he claims, I totally anticipate Houston to win this recreation. They’re a well-rounded crew, with expertise on each side. They rank high 5 in factors allowed, and the Cougars are dominant on the glass. They’ve an unbelievable level differential, and function gamers that come collectively and let their protection communicate for themselves.
OVER/UNDER- Beneath
–Houston Avg +/- vs O/U Line: -2.33
–Auburn Avg +/- vs O/U Line: –0.21
–Houston Total O/U File: 16-19-0
– Auburn O/U File: 20-13-0
–Houston hit the UNDER in 6 of their final 10 video games.
–Auburn hit the OVER in 6 of their final 10 video games.
132 is what I anticipated for the over/ beneath. Each groups play unbelievable protection and are usually not three-point threats. Anticipate each groups to use stress and play zones to cowl the within paint.
For Extra Betting Data & Recreation Predictions, Comply with us at @BallislifeBets
Sara Jane is a full-time content material creator, specializing in each Faculty Basketball, the NBA, NFL, and author of Ballislife.com. Don’t neglect to observe her on Twitter: @GGirlSports
NATIONAL PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE
1-800-522-4700
The Nationwide Council on Downside Playing operates the Nationwide Downside Playing Helpline Community. The community is a single nationwide entry level to native assets for these looking for assist for a playing drawback. The community consists of 28 contact facilities that present assets and referrals for all 50 states and US territories. Assist is offered 24/7 and is 100% confidential.
