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Auburn 2019 March Madness Final Four Betting Preview.

Auburn 2019 March Madness Final Four Betting Preview

Written by on April 2, 2019

March Madness, NCAA Basketball Betting News

For the first time in history, the Auburn Tigers are in the Final Four. The closest Auburn had ever gotten to a Final Four before 2019 was in 1986 when they lost in the Elite Eight. Auburn beat rival Kentucky 77-71 in overtime to stamp their ticket. Because the Tigers are a 5-seed, they’re offering the longest College Basketball National Championship betting odds among the four teams. Check out those Final Four odds, an analysis of the Auburn Tigers, and a prediction as to how far Auburn will go.

Final Four Bracket: Printable March Madness Bracket 2019

Auburn 2019 March Madness Final Four Betting Preview

  • 2019 College Basketball Championship Odds: +750

Team Stats

Offense
  • Total Score: 80.15
  • Field Goal Percentage: 45.13
  • Three-Point Percentage: 37.94
  • Free Throw Percentage: 70.91
  • Total Rebounds: 34.23

Defense

  • Total Score: 68.90
  • Field Goal Percentage: 43.55
  • Three-Point Percentage: 34.46
  • Free Throw Percentage: 70.90
  • Total Rebounds: 35.41

The Auburn Tigers won the SEC Tournament and only got a 5-seed. In hindsight, the Selection Committee probably should have been kinder to the Tigers. Not that it matters. Auburn hasn’t lost since Kentucky beat them 83-50 on Feb. 23. That’s a streak of 12 wins. To win the Midwest Region, Auburn beat the 4-seed Kansas Jayhawks 89-75, the 1-seed North Carolina Tar Heels 97-80, and the 2-seed Kentucky Wildcats 77-71. In the first round, Auburn outlasted New Mexico State 78-77.

And to think that if they hadn’t gotten on the streak, including beating Tennessee 84-64 in the SEC Tournament Finals, they might not have even garnered a bid to the NCAA Tournament. We mustn’t forget that the Tigers had 9 losses before the 12-game winning streak. A few more losses and the Tigers might have been watching from their couches.

Auburn Tigers Playing Style

Auburn plays the type of game that puts a smile on Houston Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni’s face. D’Antoni’s a big believer in good defense, but he prefers to think of a basketball game the way Chip Kelly thinks about football, the more possessions, the better.

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl thinks the same way. Pearl’s entire system is based on running and gunning under control. That means flying back on defense when you miss a shot but taking the open look, no matter who you are or where you are when you’re running down the court on offense.

Pearl doesn’t consider if their opponents can get down the court faster than they can. Neither does Pearl’s players because, so far, no team in the NCAA Tournament has been capable of doing that.

Auburn have been the surprise during the 2019 March Madness.

Auburn bombards their opponents with three-point shots. Their style is easy to figure out. On the fast break, the Tigers first look for an easy two. If it isn’t there, they take the open three-point shot. If for some magical reason their opponent has gotten back on defense before they can take an open three or provide a blistering dunk, the Tigers will get into their half-court offense.

Auburn Tigers Final Four Betting Prediction

Auburn’s style worked to perfection against North Carolina. John Calipari’s Kentucky Wildcats matched Auburn’s athleticism, but in the end, the Tigers were too much for even the Wildcats even though one of their top players, Chuma Okeke, is done after suffering an injury versus the Tar Heels.

Virginia is the best defensive team Auburn has faced this season, but the Tigers are playing on a different level. Auburn has beaten three of the most storied teams in college basketball history, North Carolina, Kansas, and Kentucky, on their way to the Final Four. They won’t allow a slow down squad like Virginia to beat them.

Unless the Cavaliers hit their three-point shots and Auburn doesn’t, the Tigers win their Final Four Semifinal game. They’re certainly getting more possessions than UVA will. Auburn will make it to the NCAA Championship on Monday night.

Auburn Tigers Odds| March Madness Betting

2019 March Madness Expert Betting News

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