#1 Auburn vs #17 Kentucky: NCAA Basketball Odds & Best Bets

It seems like every Saturday we talk about yet another Top 25 matchup happening in the SEC. This time we go down to Rupp Arena in Lexington where the #17 Kentucky Wildcats host the top ranked Auburn Tigers, looking to take them down. Auburn has lost just one game in conference play this season, while Kentucky sits at 8-7 with three games to go.

Things have been a little iffy under Mark Pope, and missing Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson for multiple games also doesn’t improve the record. Robinson will still be out tomorrow, but Butler and Andrew Carr will be suiting up for the Wildcats. They’ll need all the help they can get battling Johni Broome down low.

The potential Wooden Award winner leads his squad with 18.8 points, 11 boards and 3.4 assists as well. He is completely involved in the Tiger’s offense, and Bruce Pearl loves it that way as long as they keep winning. But can they pull off this win in a hostile environment? Or will Kentucky defend their home court?

#1 Auburn Tigers vs #17 Kentucky Wildcats: SEC Showdown

Matchup Information – Auburn vs Kentucky

• Venue & Location: Rupp Arena (Lexington, KY)
• Date: Saturday, March 1st, 2025
• Tip Off: 1:00pm Eastern
• Broadcast: ABC

Betting Odds

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Spread

• Auburn -4.5 (-120)
• Kentucky +4.5 (+100)

Total

• Over 166 (-110)
• Under 166 (-110)

Wildcats Need a Big Win at Home

Despite coming off a win against Oklahoma this week, the Wildcats have been slipping. They haven’t been two games above .500 in conference play since they sat at 3-1 in early January. The one thing they have going for them in this contest is the home court. Kentucky is a MUCH better team at home, and I expect that to show in this game.

Auburn is hands down the best team in the country. They don’t get beat easily. The Wildcats recipe for doing so will be the same for each of their other games: Score more than their foe. Kentucky isn’t much for playing defense, and even against Auburn, I expect the Wildcats to run up and down the floor as fast as they can. They rank 34th in possessions per game, are 2nd in adjusted offensive efficiency and eFG%, while also ranking 16th in taking care of the ball. Kentucky shoots tons of threes, makes tons of threes, but isn’t that great at stopping their opponent.

They hardly force any turnovers, send their foes to the FT line plenty, and also give up quite a bit of shots from downtown. This all sounds like an over to me, and let’s be honest, it’s going to be a lot more fun rooting for offense in this game.

#1 Auburn Tigers vs #17 Kentucky Wildcats Best Bets

Auburn vs Kentucky Prediction: Kentucky Wins Outright, Over 166

Best Bets: Auburn/Kentucky Over 166 (-115) BetOnline

Who doesn’t love rooting for points in a marquee matchup? Auburn is the 2nd most efficient offense in the country on the road, they take care of the basketball, and love crashing the glass. The Tigers rank 117th in possessions per game, and they will certainly get sped up to their hosts liking in this one. Alabama was able to speed up Auburn, resulting in 179 total points between the two teams. I see the Wildcats having similar success, as that’s the style of play that fits them, plus they’ll be able to get to the charity stripe whenever they please as Auburn is 317th in FT Rate defense.

Teams are going to get up and down the floor, shooters are going to get open looks, and very talented players will have ample opportunity to put the ball in the hoop. Smells like points, points, points.

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