Miami Vs. Auburn Odds, Picks, and Predictions (3/20/22)
Contents
On Friday, Charlie Moore had 16 points, four assists and four steals as Miami squeaked by USC 68-66. Isaiah Wong had 22 point and four rebounds as the Hurricanes advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2016. Miami did shoot 1 of 14 from behind the arc against USC, if they can’t connect from long distance, they will have difficulty in advancing. The Hurricanes who are the 10th seed in the Midwest are +20000 to win the national championship.
In Auburn’s first round game they trounced Jacksonville State, the Atlantic Sun’s regular season champion, 80-61. Walker Kessler finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and nine blocked shots, an around fantastic game for the number two seed in the Midwest. Jabari Smith, one of the most explosive players in the tournament and a projected top-five NBA draft pick, finished the contest with 20 points and 14 rebounds in the opening victory. The Tigers made 38% of their three-point field goal attempts and held Jacksonville State to 31% shooting from the floor. If the Tigers play that brand of stifling defense, Bruce Pearl’s team will go far.
Miami Vs. Auburn Betting Odds
Entering the round of 32 in the 2022 NCAA tournament, Auburn is a 7.5-point favorite over Miami; with the O/U set at 144.5. Miami is 5-1-1 against the spread in their last seven games overall. The Hurricanes are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven neutral site games as an underdog. Miami is 1-6 against the spread in their last seven Sunday games. Auburn is 0-7 against the spread in their last seven games following a straight up win. The Tigers are 5-0 against the spread in their last five NCAA Tournament games. Over is 5-1 in Auburn’s last six NCAA Tournament games.
Miami Odds
Before their win against USC on Friday, Miami’s last NCAA tournament win was 2016 over Wichita State. Miami is making their first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2018. Under head coach Jim Larranaga the Hurricanes have been to the Sweet 16 twice.
The Hurricanes three guard alignment of Kameron McGusty, Isaiah Wong, and Charlie Moore present matchup problems for their opponents. McGusty is Miami’s leading scorer this season averaging 17.4 points per game. He’s shooting 47.2% from the floor while averaging 4.9 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game and 1.7 steals per game. The senior guard is the Hurricanes most dangerous player as he was named first-team All-ACC this campaign. Isaiah Wong is Miami’s second leading scorer averaging 15.4 points per game. Additionally, Wong is averaging 4.3 rebounds per game and two assists per contest. Point guard Charlie Moore is regarded as the glue that holds the team together. Moore leads the club in assists per game with 4.5. He’s averaging 12.7 points per game and 2.5 rebounds per game. Guard Jordan Miller leads the Hurricanes in rebounds per game with 6.1 and field goal percentage at 56.2 while averaging 10 points per game.
Auburn Odds
Auburn had an opportunity to be a top seed in the tournament but finished the season 5-4 in their last nine games before the NCAA’s, including a first-round loss to Texas A&M in the SEC tournament. The Tigers are +1000 to win the 2021-22 national championship. In their last trip to the NCAA tournament three years ago, Auburn reached the Final Four before losing to the eventual national champion, Virginia Cavaliers in the national semifinals.
Miami Vs. Auburn Picks & Prediction
Miami is averaging 74.6 points per game; tied for 89th in the country and 14 assists per game; 122nd in the nation. Defensively the Hurricanes are allowing 70.9 points per game. Auburn is averaging 78.8 points per game; 25th in the nation and 14.8 assists per game; 67th in the country. On the defensive end the Tigers are allowing 66.8 points per game. I really like Auburn in this game as I see them as a real threat to win the national championship due to the abilities of the dynamic Jabari Smith. The Tigers will cover and win this contest by at least 7.5 points.
March Madness Bracket
