Alabama vs. Auburn Prediction: Top 25 Rivals Battle Predictions, Odds & Picks

On Wednesday, the Alabama Crimson Tide will make the short trip to Auburn to battle the Tigers. Alabama is the 16th-ranked team in the country, while Auburn is 12th in the AP Poll. The stakes are even higher in this game because Alabama vs. Auburn is among the best rivalries in college sports.

Alabama and Auburn competed on January 24, and the Crimson Tide pulled off a tight win, 79-75. However, this game was in Tuscaloosa, and the Tide are no longer favored.

The Tigers are laying 5.5 points at home and are riding a two-game winning streak heading into the matchup. Both teams are playing exceptionally well, and it should make for a very competitive contest.

Here, we break down the entire matchup and give our best bets for Alabama vs. Auburn.

Alabama vs. Auburn Betting Odds for Wednesday, Feb. 7

Even though Auburn has won two straight, Alabama still has the edge coming into Wednesday’s matchup in our book. The Tide have won four consecutive games, which includes a four-point win over Auburn, and are getting 5.5 points.

Alabama must maneuver the challenging road environment, but they’re still 8-1 in the conference. They have proven they can win in difficult situations. Here are the odds on FanDuel Sportsbook.

Odds from FanDuel Sportsbook. Get $200 in bonus bets when you wager $5 on a winning bet.

Alabama has been the best team in the SEC all season, but respect hasn’t been on full display for the Crimson Tide. The biggest reason for Alabama’s lack of praise is the fact that they haven’t really played on the road this season.

They’re 11-1 at home, but have only played five games as visitors and hold a 3-2 record in these matchups. However, their two losses on the road have been against tremendous teams.

They were beaten by #6 Tennessee on January 20 and lost to #8 Creighton on December 16. The experience from these difficult losses gives us confidence that Alabama will respond on Wednesday.

The player who must perform for the Crimson Tide is Mark Sears. Sears has been the leader all season for Alabama, and he is one of the best players in the SEC.

The guard is averaging 20 points per game, which is 28th in the nation. He has averaged 52.6% from the field and takes a lot of shots, which speaks to his efficiency.

The Crimson Tide rank second in adjusted offensive efficiency, thanks to players like Sears and fellow guard Aaron Estrada. The backcourt hasn’t been as good for Alabama, as they rank 57th in this metric, according to KenPom.

Nevertheless, Alabama’s efficient scoring is the most important statistic for winning on the road. When Auburn goes on runs, Alabama has the capability to stop the scoring onslaught. It will still be an uphill battle for Alabama on the road because Auburn has played well.

It’s very tough to beat a team twice in a short span in college basketball. Auburn has been one of the most efficient teams in the country, according to KenPom, and they should have a rocking crowd for this rivalry contest.

Auburn is fifth overall in the KenPom ranking, and they’re more balanced than Alabama. They don’t have the same level of offensive efficiency, but they’re fifth in adjusted defense.

Johni Broome, Auburn’s star forward, has been their key to success. The 6’10” junior plays very hard, scoring 15.7 points with 8.8 rebounds per contest. Look for him to continue rolling in this contest, as Alabama’s size could be an issue down low.

Tre Donaldson is another player to watch for Auburn. He isn’t asked to take big shots consistently, but he is a talented passer who is efficient from the field. These two players will be critical all game for Alabama.

Auburn vs. Alabama Prediction and Betting Pick

Auburn is the better team overall, according to the KenPom rankings. However, they’re only two spots higher than Alabama, and the Crimson Tide already beat the Tigers this season.

It’s never easy to win on the road in college basketball, but this Alabama team has the capability to sweep the Tigers and stay atop the SEC. Even though we should see a hostile Auburn crowd, Alabama can quiet the noise with early success.

Look for Sears to take over this contest in the second half, forcing Auburn to struggle because they don’t have a player who can match his explosiveness. Take Alabama to cover as they should be able to keep it close.

• Auburn vs. Alabama Pick: Alabama +5.5 at FanDuel Sportsbook

How to Watch Alabama vs. Auburn

• When: Wednesday, Feb. 7 @ 7:00 PM ET

• Where: Neville Arena, Auburn, AL

• TV: ESPN2

• Streaming: ESPN+

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