Two Top-10 ranked SEC teams collide this afternoon when the Florida Gators travel to the Neville Arena to take on the No. 1 Auburn Tigers.
This should be a great game with both teams likely at full strength. Find out why my Florida vs Auburn predictions see the Tigers making it difficult for the Gators on offense in my college basketball picks for this 4 p.m. ET tip on Saturday, February 8.
Florida vs Auburn prediction
My best bet
Walter Clayton Jr. Under 2.5 assists (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The Florida Gators and Auburn Tigers are a combined 15-3 in the country's best conference, playing some of the toughest teams night in and night out. They both have strengths on offense and defense, but there is one spot where the Tigers will control. They expertly force tough shots and make their opponents score from the free-throw line.
Auburn ranks 50th in the country in points allowed and 12th in KenPom’s defensive efficiency. The Tigers also rank first in blocks per game and 17th in opponent field-goal percentage. These all lead to the most important stat: they only allow 8.5 assists per game — ranking first in the nation.
They have played several games this season in which not a single opposing player has registered more than two assists. The Tigers don't allow open shots or easy buckets around the rim and contest everything, often leading to fouls.
However, fouling means there is no opportunity for assists. A player who passes to another player going up for a shot and gets fouled is most likely not getting an assist unless they convert the basket with the foul. This makes it difficult for opposing players to rack up dimes against this Auburn defense.
Walter Clayton Jr. leads the Gators in assists, but he only averages 3.8 per contest. The Gators do not get a ton of assists, and when they do, they evenly spread out throughout the team. Clayton has had two games with zero assists in SEC play and two others with just two.
Even if this game sees a lot of scoring, which is not unusual for Auburn, that doesn't mean there will be an influx in assists. The Tigers have allowed 80 or more points twice in SEC play and have only allowed 11 and six assists, respectively, in those games. Florida will most likely be held to single-digit assists and there likely won’t be any player that surpasses two.
Florida vs Auburn same-game parlay (SGP)
Walter Clayton Jr. Under 2.5 assists
Johni Broome Over 10.5 rebounds
Will Richard Under 11.5 points
Johni Broome, who averages 3.8 offensive boards per game and 10.9 boards per game, is Auburn's best rebounder. The Gators rank 316th in the country allowing 11.6 offensive rebounds per contest.
Florida guard Will Richard rarely gets to the free-throw line. He averages 13.4 points per game but only 1.8 free-throw attempts. He's been held to Under 10 points in two of his last five, and four SEC games this season.
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Florida vs Auburn odds
Florida vs Auburn live odds
Florida vs Auburn opening odds
- Spread: Florida +8.5 (-110) | Auburn -8.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Florida +280 | Auburn -360
- Over/Under: Over 155.5 (-110) | Under 155.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Florida vs Auburn betting trend to know
Auburn has covered the spread in 14 of its last 22 games at home. Find more college basketball betting trends for Florida vs. Auburn.
How to watch Florida vs Auburn
| Location | Neville Arena, Auburn, AL |
| Date | Saturday, 2-8-2025 |
| Tip-off | 4:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN2 |
Florida vs Auburn key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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