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The Florida Gators are set to face the Auburn Tigers this weekend. Check out our college basketball odds series, which includes our Florida Auburn prediction, odds, and pick.
Florida needs a big win. The Gators just lost at home to Alabama. They stumbled earlier this season against Texas Southern, a big dent in their resume. They did beat Ohio State, but they have a lot of work to do to feel safe for the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Florida needs a scorer and shot creator on the perimeter. Colin Castleton has been a superb big man for the Gators, but he will need help if this team is going to realize its potential. Florida's passing and transition offense are not where they need to be. College basketball odds experts will tell you that a Bruce Pearl-coached opponent is not the kind of team Florida wants to face right now. Yet, this is what the SEC schedule has laid out for coach Mike White's group. If you're thinking about a Florida Auburn pick, you have to admit the Gators have a lot to prove here in early January.
Auburn has to feel quietly confident about its position. The Tigers knocked LSU from the ranks of the unbeaten a week ago, then beat South Carolina on the road even though Allen Flanigan was out. The Florida Auburn odds are favorable to Auburn precisely because AU looked so good even without Flanigan earlier this week. Many people think Flanigan is the difference between the Final Four and Sweet 16 for this team, but the convincing win against the Gamecocks showed that Auburn has a strong team even without the star guard on the floor.
Auburn made the Final Four in 2019 under Bruce Pearl, but that was a season in which Auburn got hot at the right time and made a magical run as a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament. This season is a journey in which Auburn will be expected to get at least a No. 3 seed if not higher. The Tigers need to consistently collect wins in the SEC to reach that goal. This team cannot afford to let up, something which must be taken into consideration when thinking about a Florida Auburn prediction.
Here’s how the bookmakers have set the odds:
College Basketball odds: Florida-Auburn Odds
Florida: +7.5 (-110)
Auburn: -7.5 (-110)
Over: 141.5 (-110)
Under: 141.5 (-110)
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Why Florida Could Cover the Spread
The Gators are desperate, and from desperation can come inspiration and quality. Florida played Alabama well for a half but had no answers after halftime. Alabama is a really tough team. The Crimson Tide are the defending SEC champions for a reason. They know how to stitch together a 40-minute game, not just a 20-minute game. As difficult as it was to absorb that loss, however, Florida can learn from Alabama how to persevere and make course corrections in the second half of a game. If the Gators are good students, they can certainly cover a seven and a half-point spread against an Auburn team which will go through lulls at some point in a game. The Tigers are an excellent team, but they are excellent because they survive their bad stretches. They usually have one; they just fight through it. If Florida can maximize its productivity during an Auburn lull, it could certainly cover on the road.
Why Auburn Could Cover the Spread
The Tigers are deep and balanced. They have shown they can win even when Allen Flanigan is not on the floor. With Walker Kessler, they have a big man who can neutralize Colin Castleton, Florida's best player. Auburn is playing at home and functioning well as a cohesive five-man unit. Bruce Pearl has his team playing the right way.
Final Florida-Auburn Prediction & Pick
Florida won't win this game outright, but the Gators badly need this win. They will fight very hard, and Auburn will not have an easy time putting this game away. Tigers by four.
Final Florida-Auburn Pick: Florida +7.5
