The LSU Tigers are set to face the Auburn Tigers. Check out our college basketball odds series, which includes our LSU Auburn prediction, odds, and pick.

LSU is one of five unbeaten teams left in Division I NCAA competition, joining USC, Colorado State, Baylor, and Iowa State. The people who follow college basketball odds are aware of this. Coach Will Wade has guided LSU through a moderately difficult schedule. The list of opponents for the Bayou Bengals has not been a murderer's row, but being unbeaten in a wild and crazy college basketball season is still an achievement. Winning every game has certainly bolstered LSU's NCAA Tournament prospects, even if the schedule has not been overwhelming.

Now, though, the challenge becomes a lot tougher for this team. When considering your LSU Auburn prediction, know that LSU then has to face Kentucky and a number of other teams projected to finish in the top half of the SEC. We are going to find out over the next three weeks if LSU is an elite team, or a mid-range NCAA Tournament seed. If the Tigers can survive this stretch of games — not necessarily dominating, but holding their own and winning a majority of them — this team will be looking at a top-five seed in the Big Dance this March.

Auburn has had a solid nonconference season and is ready to make a run at the SEC championship. One of the big keys for coach Bruce Pearl is that he now has Allen Flanigan back in the lineup. Flanigan  averaged 14.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 0.9 steals in 30.4 minutes per game last season for Auburn, when the team was ineligible for the NCAA Tournament. He spent the first month of this season recovering from Achilles surgery. He returned to the lineup on Dec. 22 in a win over Murray State and played 12 minutes. He will probably play 15 to 20 minutes in this game. If he is able to function well, that's a genuine boost for Auburn. Factor that possibility into an LSU Auburn pick.

Here’s how the bookmakers have set the odds:

College Basketball odds: LSU-Auburn Odds

LSU: +4.5 (-110)

Auburn: -4.5 (-110)

Over: 143 (-110)

Under: 143 (-110)

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Why LSU Could Cover the Spread

The LSU Tigers (we have to differentiate them from the Auburn Tigers) are relentless. This is the signature quality of the program since Will Wade came to Baton Rouge. LSU might struggle and go through rough patches, but it knows how to win close games. It knows how to make second-half comebacks. LSU plays great late-game defense and closes halves well. Playing 35 strong minutes against LSU means very little, since Wade's players are so good at playing 40 complete minutes and forcing opponents to close them down, which is one of the toughest tasks in college basketball. LSU makes itself a tough out with unceasing effort. 

LSU beat Penn State in overtime in late November. It came back from a double-digit deficit to beat Louisiana Tech. It came back from a double-digit deficit to beat Georgia Tech. Those are not great teams, but LSU continuously shows it is hard to knock out. Beating LSU outright is tough enough; LSU getting 4.5 points makes the Bayou Bengals even more attractive as a choice when you make your LSU Auburn pick.

Why Auburn Could Cover the Spread

The LSU Tigers are due for a bad game, right? LSU can't keep falling behind by double-digit margins and working its way out of a jam. Auburn, at 11-1 — with its only loss being to a good Connecticut team likely to make the NCAA Tournament — is a strong team. Allen Flanigan adds more to the AU lineup. Bruce Pearl is an elite coach with a team playing at home in front of a raucous crowd. LSU will be stepping up in weight class. Auburn is not only tough, but tested. Auburn played UConn, Syracuse, Loyola-Chicago, and Saint Louis, all in neutral-site or road situations. That schedule should make AU battle-hardened for this big SEC clash.

Final LSU-Auburn Prediction & Pick

Auburn winning outright sounds like a likely outcome, but LSU regularly plays close games and simply does not get blown out very often. Auburn winning by two points feels like the sweet spot here. Auburn moneyline and LSU against the spread is the best play you can make.

Final LSU-Auburn Pick: LSU +4.5