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Auburn vs Miami Odds and Picks – March Madness Odds Favor Tigers by 7.5

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in College Basketball

Updated Mar 23, 2022 · 6:47 PM PDT

Jabari Smith celebrates following a bucket
Auburn forward Jabari Smith celebrates after scoring during the second half of a college basketball game against Jacksonville State in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Friday, March 18, 2022, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
  • The Auburn vs Miami odds favor the Tigers by 7.5-points on Sunday (March 20)
  • Auburn crushed Jacksonville State in the First Round, while Miami upset USC
  • Read below for the Auburn vs Miami odds, analysis, and betting prediction

Auburn spent three weeks ranked number one in the country this season. An early exit in the SEC Tournament dropped them down to a 2-seed in March Madness, but they certainly looked like one of the best teams in the nation in the First Round.

The Tigers routed Jacksonville State 80-61 and will now face Miami in Second Round Midwest Region action on Sunday (March 20).

Miami vs Auburn Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Miami Hurricanes +270 +7.5 (-110) O 144.5 (-110)
Auburn Tigers -350 -7.5 (-110) U 144.5 (-110)

Odds as of March 18th at Caesars Sportsbook. See all available Caesars Sportsbook promos.  Editor’s note: the Miami vs Auburn point spread had dropped to Auburn -7 (-110) on Sunday morning. The total is up to 144.5.

Tip-off time for the Miami vs Auburn game at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC, is 7:45 pm ET.

Before making any more bets this weekend, make sure to consult SBD’s March Madness betting promos if you haven’t already. Online sportsbooks are literally giving money away in an effort to attract new clients. The Hurricanes upset USC in the First Round in the 10 vs 7 matchup, and opened as sizeable underdogs to Auburn. The Tigers are currently 7.5-point favorites, in a contest that features a total of 144.5.

Auburn Tigers Betting Analysis

The Tigers entered the week as a top-14 scoring offense in the nation, and they didn’t disappoint versus the Gamecocks. They shot 44.4% from the field and 38% from three, led by Jabari Smith. The 6-10 freshman is one of the top projected picks in this year’s Draft, and he put on a clinic in the First Round.

Smith, a top-7 contender in the Wooden Award odds finished with 20 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists, while splashing four triples. Fellow big man Walker Kessler was also a force, finishing one block shy of a triple-double (13 points, 10 rebounds, 9 blocks). The pair is a nightmare matchup for any front court and will be leaned upon heavily again on Sunday.

As good as their offense is, the main reason to be bullish on the Tigers in the NCAA Tournament odds is their defense. Auburn is holding enemy shooters to 38.5% from the field this season, the fifth best mark in the country. They just limited Jacksonville State to a 31.1% field goal percentage, while recording 10 blocks.

The Tigers rank first in the nation in blocks, 13th in steals and 32nd in turnovers forced. Six of their past seven opponents have failed to eclipse 68 points, and keep in mind they played in the loaded SEC.

On the injury front, Auburn could be without Jaylin Williams on Sunday. The backup forward left Friday’s game and did not return after suffering a concussion.

Miami Hurricanes Betting Analysis

The Hurricanes, meanwhile, were perhaps fortunate to earn a First Round victory depending on who you ask. They were the beneficiaries of a questionable foul call in the dying seconds versus the Trojans, that allowed Charlie Moore to break a 66-66 tie and propel Miami to victory.

The Hurricanes had a dreadful shooting performance, something that is not common. They shot 42.9% from the field and 7.1% from three, after ranking 17th in the nation in field goal percentage during the regular season.

Isaiah Wong paced the offense with 22 points before fouling out. He was the lone Hurricane to shoot above 50% from the field on more than two attempts, something that will have to change against Auburn.

Miami struggled to defend the perimeter, allowing USC to shoot 45% from three, but made up for it in the turnover department. They racked up 12 steals and forced 18 turnovers, while coughing up the ball just three times themselves.

Those extra possession proved to be the difference and are the reason why they’re moving on to the Second Round in the March Madness bracket for the first time since 2016.

The Hurricanes boasted a bottom-five scoring defense in the ACC this season, but that didn’t prevent them from repeatedly pulling off upsets.

Miami vs Auburn Pick

On paper, Auburn should cruise to another victory, but Miami has a knack for playing spoiler. The Hurricanes are 10-2 against the spread this season as an underdog, with nine outright victories. They’ve beaten Duke, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and North Carolina among others, and the Tigers will be their next victim if they take Miami lightly.

Auburn is a legit Final Four odds contender, but they’re not exactly cover machines. They’re 3-8 ATS in their last 11 outings, and while their twin towers should lead them to victory, it’s likely going to be a much closer game than oddsmakers currently project.

Pick: Miami Hurricanes +7.5 (-110)


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