LSU Tigers vs. Auburn Tigers Picks, Predictions, Odds

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

Dec. 29, 2021

Dave Schwab
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

A huge showdown in the SEC highlights Wednesday night’s college basketball betting board with the No.16 LSU Tigers going on the road to face the No.11 Auburn Tigers. Game time from Auburn Arena is slated for 7 p.m. (ET) with ESPNU carrying the national TV broadcast.

Score Prediction

Auburn 80, LSU 78

Best Bets

Over 140 (-110) at DraftKings

LSU Tigers vs. Auburn Tigers Predictions

LSU remains one of the few straight-up unbeaten teams in the nation at 12-0. This will be its SEC opener after closing out nonconference play with 35-point romp over Lipscomb on Dec. 22 as a 28.5-point favorite. This was the Tigers’ fifth double-digit victory in their last six games. The closest call was a five-point win against Penn State as eight-point favorites on Nov. 26.

Auburn begins conference play with just one SU blemish in its nonconference schedule. That came against Connecticut in a wild 115-109 loss on Nov. 24 as a 2.5-point underdog. The Tigers moved to 11-1 SU by beating Murray State 71-58 at home on Dec. 22 to cover as 12.5-point favorites.

This should be a great matchup between two of the best teams in the SEC this season. These two conference foes have played each other tough over the past few seasons with the home team winning the past four meetings SU. My lean in this game is towards Auburn at home, but I am taking the OVER on the total line as my “best bet” play.

LSU Tigers vs. Auburn Tigers Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

LSU Tigers vs. Auburn Tigers Betting Resources

• Matchup: SEC
• Date: Wednesday, December 29, 2021
• Venue: Auburn Arena
• Location: Auburn, Alabama
• TV-Time: ESPN2 - 7:00 p.m. ET

• Injury Report
• Wooden Award Odds
• Conference Futures Market
• Power Rankings

LSU Tigers Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 12-0
• ATS: 10-2
• O/U: 2-10

Along with winning their first 12 games SU, the Tigers have been able to cover against the spread in 10 of those contests. Closing as favorites in every game, they have covered as double-digit favorites in five of six games. The total went OVER 144 points in the recent 95-60 win against Lipscomb.

With a scoring average of 79.6 points per game, LSU has won the majority of its matchups by simply outscoring the opposing team. However, this remains one of the best defensive teams in the nation with a points-allowed average of 54.1.

The Tigers have deep scoring depth with six players averaging at least nine points a game. Leading the way is forward Tari Eason with 16.3 PPG. Forward Darius Days is next on the list with 15 points while leading the team in rebounds with 8.5 a game. Days has connected on 38.2% of his team-high 76 shots from three-point range.

Eason has showed up as questionable on an injury report, which is something to watch. LSU is shooting 46.2% from the field and 32.2% from outside the three-point line. Its 42.1 rebounds a game is ranked 18th in the nation. This average includes 12.7 rebounds a game on offense.

Auburn Tigers Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 11-1
• ATS: 8-4
• O/U: 6-6

Auburn rose in the national rankings with quality wins against Loyola-Chicago, Syracuse and Saint Louis. It has been able to cover the closing spread in eight of its first 12 games. The Tigers have posted double-digit victories in seven of their last eight contests. The total has gone OVER in four of the last seven outings.

These Tigers know how to light up the scoreboard as well with an 81.1-point scoring average. They play a bit more loosely on defense with a points-allowed average of 64.9. The trio of forward Jabari Smith and guards’ KD Johnson and Wendell Green Jr. have accounted for much of the scoring with a combined 41.2 PPG.

Smith has had the hottest hand shooting ball with a 44.8 field-goal percentage while connecting on 45.2% of his 62 three-point attempts. Forward Walter Kessler is the leading rebounder (7.2) and Green leads in assists (4.8).

As a team, Auburn is shooting 44.5% from the field and 34.8% from three-point range. It is pulling down an average of 39.8 rebounds a game with 12.4 on the offensive end of the court. The Tigers are connecting on 71.7% of their free throws.

The total has gone OVER in four of the last five meetings between Auburn and LSU. (AP)

Inside the Stats - LSU Tigers

• Record: 12-0
• VI Ranking: 10th
• PS/G: 79.6 (41st)
• PA/G: 54.1 (2nd)
• ORtg: 109.1 (68th)
• DRtg: 74.2 (1st)

Inside the Stats - Auburn Tigers

• Record: 11-1
• VI Ranking: 9th
• PS/G: 81.1 (29th)
• PA/G: 64.9 (103rd)
• ORtg: 110.6 (54th)
• DRtg: 88.5 (45th)

Key Players to Watch

• LSU: Tari Eason - F (16.3 PPG, 7.5 REB, 0.9 AST)
• LSU: Darius Days - F (15 PPG, 8.5 REB, 0.8 AST)
• AUB: Jabari Smith - F (16.2 PPG, 7.2 REB, 2.3 AST)
• AUB: K.D. Johnson - G (13.2 PPG, 2.3 REB, 1.3 AST)

LSU Tigers vs. Auburn Tigers Betting Conclusion

Current playing form and recent betting trends point towards a very tight matchup this Wednesday night. The only tangible edge is Auburn playing this game at home. It is 6-4 SU over the last 10 meetings but LSU has a 5-2 edge ATS in the last seven games.

Eason’s listing on the injury report is a concern for LSU, yet it looks like he will play.

The total has gone OVER in 15 of LSU’s last 20 road games. It has also gone OVER in four of its last five games against Auburn. While each of these teams know how to play excellent defense, the eventual winner is going to have to outscore its opponent to secure that victory. That should be enough to take the total OVER once again.

LSU Tigers vs. Auburn Tigers Betting Trends

• LSU is 16-3 ATS across the last 19 games.
• Auburn is 6-2 ATS across the last eight games
• LSU is 2-4 SU in their last eight matchups against Auburn.
• The total has gone OVER in four of the last five meetings between Auburn and LSU.

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