Another first-round matchup in the NCAA Tournament on the NCAAB schedule will take place on Thursday night when the Iowa Hawkeyes (19-13) of the Big Ten will collide with the Auburn Tigers (20-12) out of the SEC. Both programs underachieved this season compared to what they both did a season ago.
The college basketball standings were tough for both clubs this season, but the quality competition level during the regular season will have both teams well-prepared for this matchup.
One of the Iowa vs Tigers predictions will be for this basketball game to potentially be a shootout. The Hawkeyes love to play up-tempo, which should force Auburn to take more shots than usual to keep the score close.
The Odds Stacked Against Teams Facing Top Seeds in March Madness
These NCAA basketball teams, however, have earned their way here to the big dance. The winner most likely faces No. 1-seeded Kansas Jayhawks. The odds to win March Madness aren’t good for either program because of the potential second-round matchup against No.1 seed Houston.
While there are 16 NCAA basketball games today, Iowa-Auburn should be among the more entertaining matchups. Let’s take a look in today’s preview.
Iowa Hawkeyes vs Auburn Tigers Odds
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Auburn Tigers Information
Iowa Hawkeyes vs Auburn Tigers
Location: Legacy Arena, Birmingham, Alabama.
Date and Time: Thursday, March 16, 6:50 p.m. ET.
How to Watch: TNT
Updates for Iowa Hawkeyes and Auburn Tigers
Neither team has any entries on the college basketball injury report. With both teams healthy and at their best, this one should be competitive throughout.
Iowa’s most recent game was against the Ohio State Buckeyes on March 9 in the Big Ten tournament. The Hawkeyes lost 73-69.
Similarly, Auburn’s most recent game was against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the SEC Tournament, also on March 9. The Tigers lost that one 76-73.
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Auburn Tigers Betting Preview
Iowa’s record against the spread during the regular season was 17-15-0. Auburn’s record against the spread during the regular season was 15-17-0. A lot of March Madness bracket predictions have the winner of this game as a one-and-done, losing to Houston in the next round.
Hawkeyes junior forward Kris Murray is one of the best college basketball players, scoring 17 or more points in his last three games played; he has also grabbed six or more rebounds in each of those contests.
Senior Filip Rebarca scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds against Ohio State for the Hawkeyes. He has scored 10 or more points in his last five games played. For Iowa vs Tigers prediction Rebarca is a very good bet to pencil in for 15 or more points.
Key Players
Sophomore forward Johni Broome scored 13 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and recorded one assist for the Auburn Tigers in his last game against the Arkansas Razorbacks. Broome is a very good choice among March Madness bets to score more than 10 points.
Junior guard Wendell Green Jr. has scored 10 or more points in his last three of five games played in.
The NCAAB odds for this contest have Auburn as the slight favorite at -1.5 -110 odds and Iowa at +1.5 -110 odds. On the moneyline, the Tigers have -125 odds to win outright and the Hawkeyes have +105 odds to win outright.
The over/under points total is set at 152 with -105 odds to hit the over and -115 odds to hit the under.
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Auburn Tigers Betting Prediction
One of the smarter college basketball picks in this contest is to take over 152 total points at -105 odds between Iowa and Auburn because of the tempo at which both teams play.
Another Iowa vs Tigers prediction is to bet the Hawkeyes moneyline at +105 odds over Auburn.
The final score in this game will have the Iowa Hawkeyes winning over the Auburn Tigers by a final score of 88-85.
- BETTING PICK: Iowa Hawkeyes +1.5 -110 odds
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