Final Four Pick & Preview: Florida vs. Auburn

All top seeds have made it to the Final Four and the first matchup will be between the Florida Gators (34-4) and Auburn Tigers (32-5) on Saturday, April 5 at 6:09 PM ET at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Current odds from MyBookie show the Gators as slight favorites with a point spread at -2.5 (-115).

Florida Gators Betting Preview

The Gators have won their last 10 games and are coming off an 84-79 performance over the Texas Tech Red Raiders. They have been averaging 85.7 points per game this tournament and allowing opponents to reach 73.5 points each matchup.

Walter Clayton Jr. led with 30 points, four assists, and also made a crucial three point bucket late to propel the Gators to victory. Florida had the lead overall in both halves combined, but they had to come back from almost double digits late.

Florida ranks third in the country for points per game at 85.4. Their defense allows 69.7 points each battle, ranking 100th. This is a respectable margin of error, assuming they are locked in defensively.

The Gators’ efficiency on the offensive end per 100 possessions ranks fourth, while their defensive efficiency at the same rate ranks 43rd. They clearly take care of the basketball and make the most of their possessions, but their defense is what will make or break this team.

Auburn Tigers Betting Preview

The Tigers have won their last four matchups, with their most recent being a 70-64 outing over the Michigan State Spartans. So far in the tournament, they are averaging 78.2 points each game while giving up 65.5 points each battle.

Against the Spartans, the Tigers were solid in the first half but nearly lost it in the second with their defense. Johni Broome led with 25 points and 14 rebounds. He is expected to play after hurting his arm late in their win against the Spartans.

Auburn is 12th in the nation in scoring with 83.2 points a game while their defense ranks 87th for allowing 69.2 points to opponents. This margin of error is appealing, but just like Florida, their defense will be what matters.

The Tigers efficiency on offense per 100 possessions ranks sixth, while their defensive efficiency at the same rate ranks 59th. If Broome has a bad game or is not at his best due to his arm, this will hinder their chances at success.

Odds, Series Trends, and Free Pick

Check out MyBookie for the best Florida Gators vs. Auburn Tigers betting odds, which currently show the Gators as 2.5-point favorites. According to market predictions, the Tigers have a 57.9 percent chance of winning outright.

Florida has consistently shown good offense all season and they have looked great since their SEC Tournament run. The Tigers did not win their conference title and have looked somewhat appealing in their matchups so far, but they are likely not going to be able to hang with Florida.

Final Pick: Florida Gators -2.5 (-115)