Arkansas Razorbacks vs Auburn Tigers – NCAA Basketball Preview – February 19, 2025
The Arkansas Razorbacks travel to Neville Arena to take on the Auburn Tigers in an SEC matchup. The game is set for February 19 at 9:00 PM ET. Auburn leads the SEC with a 23-2 record, while Arkansas sits in 12th place at 15-10.
Auburn dominated the last meeting between these teams on January 6, winning 83-51. The Tigers are coming off a big win over Alabama, while Arkansas looks to improve its NCAA Tournament chances. Auburn will try to avoid a letdown at home.
Auburn Preview – Can the Tigers Stay Hot?
Auburn is on top of the SEC with an 11-1 conference record. They defeated then-No. 2 Alabama 94-85 in their last game. Johni Broome leads the team with 18.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game.
Denver Jones was named SEC Player of the Week after scoring 16 points and playing strong defense against Alabama. Auburn has one of the best defenses in the league, allowing just 68.4 points per game. They have also covered the spread in 20 of their last 34 games.
The Tigers have a 10-1 home record this season. They have hit the moneyline in 30 of their last 34 games. Auburn will look to extend its strong play at home against Arkansas.
One area where Auburn has thrived is shooting efficiency. The team is hitting 46.6% of its shots from the field, ranking in the top 100 nationally. They also defend the three-point line well, holding opponents to just 29.8% shooting from deep. This combination of scoring and defense gives them a strong edge against Arkansas.
Arkansas Preview – Can the Razorbacks Pull an Upset?
Arkansas has struggled in SEC play with a 4-8 record. They lost their last game 69-61 to Texas A&M. Adou Thiero leads the team with 15.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
The Razorbacks have had trouble against ranked teams, with only one win against a ranked opponent this season. They lost to Auburn by 32 points earlier in the season. Arkansas has a 3-4 record on the road this year.
Arkansas has covered the spread in six of its last 12 road games. They have also hit the over in eight of their last 12 road games. They will need a strong performance to keep up with Auburn.
The Razorbacks have struggled with consistency on offense. They rank 126th in the nation in scoring, averaging 76.1 points per game, but have had trouble against strong defensive teams. Their three-point shooting is also an issue, hitting just 33.8% from beyond the arc. To compete with Auburn, they will need a strong inside game and better efficiency from deep.
Betting Prediction
Auburn is a 16.5-point favorite at home, with the total set at 153.5 points. The Tigers have been dominant at home and have already beaten Arkansas by a wide margin this season. Auburn has hit the moneyline in 30 of its last 34 games.
Arkansas has struggled against top teams and will have a tough time against Auburn’s defense. Auburn should win and cover the spread. The total could go over if both teams push the pace.
Auburn’s defense will be the key to this game. If they can hold Arkansas under their scoring average, they should win comfortably. Arkansas will need to get hot from three-point range to keep it close. Auburn’s balance on both ends of the floor makes them a strong pick to win and cover.
Pick: Auburn Tigers -16.5
