The Auburn Tigers take on the Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington, Kentucky. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. ET on ABC.
Auburn is favored by 4.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -205. The total is set at 166.5 points.
Here are my Auburn vs. Kentucky predictions and college basketball picks for March 1, 2025.
Auburn vs Kentucky Prediction
My Pick: Auburn -4.5 (Play to -6)
My Auburn vs Kentucky best bet is on the Tigers spread, with the best odds currently available at DraftKings. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Auburn vs Kentucky Odds
| Auburn Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -115 | 166.5 -108 / -112 | -205 |
| Kentucky Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -105 | 166.5 -108 / -112 | +170 |
- Auburn vs Kentucky spread: Auburn -4.5
- Auburn vs Kentucky over/under: 166.5 points
- Auburn vs Kentucky moneyline: Auburn -205, Kentucky + 170
- Auburn vs Kentucky best bet: Auburn -4.5 (Play to -6)
Spread
I am taking Auburn on the spread up to -6.
Moneyline
I'm avoiding the moneyline, as there's no value on it.
Over/Under
I'm avoiding a pick on the total.
My Pick: Auburn -4.5 (Play to -6)
Auburn vs Kentucky College Basketball Betting Preview
Auburn Basketball
The Auburn Tigers are the most respected team in the country. They come into this matchup with the best odds to win the National Championship and have the front-runner for the Wooden Award in big man Johni Broome.
However, going into Rupp Arena and coming out on top is easier said than done.
The Kentucky Wildcats have lost just twice on their home floor, but the Tigers have what it takes to control this tough road matchup.
Auburn prefers to work the ball inside with Broome. He'll cause the Wildcats all sorts of trouble, as they've allowed their opponents to convert at a 64% clip on shots in paint.
It doesn't stop there, as Broome and the Tigers have the potential to dominate on the offensive glass. Auburn ranks 25th in offensive rebounding rate, while Kentucky ranks 339th in defensive rebounding rate. The Wildcats typically look to push the pace after missed shots.
That edge in offensive rebounding rate will also come in handy, as we should see the Tigers take more than their fair share of 3s in this matchup.
Kentucky ranks 322nd in 3-point rate allowed, and while the Tigers are just 139th in 3-point rate, there are more than a few players who are capable of launching from deep.
Kentucky Basketball
On the other end of the floor, seeing how the Wildcats choose to attack will be interesting. They've been a juggernaut offensively, ranking seventh in adjusted offensive efficiency and 16th in effective field goal percentage.
However, we may see them struggle if they're unable to control the tempo and push the pace off Auburn's misses. The Wildcats rely a lot on penetration from their backcourt, but driving inside isn't a great idea with Broome lurking in the paint.
That would then leave Kentucky to rely on shots from the perimeter. While it's capable from beyond the arc, it really only possesses two high-volume 3-point shooters in Koby Brea and Jaxson Robinson.
It's not like settling for 3s is a clear choice against the Tigers, as Auburn ranks 10th in 3-point percentage allowed.
Auburn has the keys to control this matchup on both ends of the floor.
Auburn vs. Kentucky Betting Analysis
The Tigers have passed nearly every test this season, having lost just once on the road to Duke.
Look for the Tigers to control the tempo in this one, which will allow them to contain the Wildcats' shooting while also out-grinding them on the other end of the floor.
This is a game in which Broome should make a huge impact and lead the Tigers to a convincing victory, covering the spread in the process.
