Auburn Tigers vs. Florida Gators: NCAA Tournament Final Four Preview
Matchup Overview
The NCAA Tournament Final Four features an exciting clash between the No. 4 seed Auburn Tigers and the No. 3 seed Florida Gators. This highly anticipated game is set to take place on Saturday in San Antonio at 6:09 p.m. EDT.
Previous Encounter
This will be the second encounter of the season for these teams, with Florida having won their earlier matchup 90-81 on February 8. Walter Clayton Jr. led the Gators with 19 points, while Miles Kelly was the standout for Auburn, scoring 22 points.
Team Performance and Stats
Auburn Tigers
- Record: 32-5 overall; 16-4 in SEC play.
- Recent Form: The Tigers have posted a 7-3 record in their last 10 games, scoring an average of 80.3 points per game.
- Rebounding: Averaging 34.5 rebounds per game, where Johni Broome leads with 10.9 boards.
- Scoring: Auburn averages 83.2 points, significantly higher than the 69.7 points that Florida allows per game.
Florida Gators
- Record: 34-4 overall; 17-4 in SEC play.
- Recent Form: Florida has been impressive with a perfect 10-0 record in their last 10 games, scoring an average of 90.6 points per game.
- Shooting: The Gators excel from beyond the arc, shooting 35.7% from 3-point range, placing them sixth in the SEC.
- Offensive Prowess: Florida scores on average 85.4 points, which is 16.2 points above what Auburn typically allows (69.2 points).
Key Players to Watch
Auburn Tigers
- Johni Broome: Averaging 18.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game.
- Tahaad Pettiford: Contributing 13.7 points per game over the last 10 games.
Florida Gators
- Walter Clayton Jr.: Leading with an average of 18.1 points and 4.1 assists per game.
- Alijah Martin: Scoring 13.9 points per game in recent performances.
Betting Insights
The current line from BETMGM Sportsbook places the Florida Gators as favorites by 2.5 points, with an over/under set at 159.5 for the total points expected in the game.
Final Thoughts
This matchup promises to be a thrilling contest as both teams bring their strengths to the court. With Auburn’s offensive firepower clashing against Florida’s scoring efficiency, fans can expect an intense battle in the quest for a spot in the national championship game.
