The second-to-last Saturday of the regular season in college basketball starts off strong with No. 1 Auburn at No. 17 Kentucky at 1 p.m. (all times Eastern) on ABC.
That’s not the only top-25 matchup of the day, though. Other top matchups throughout this afternoon and evening include:
- No. 10 Texas Tech at Kansas (2 p.m., ESPN)
- No. 6 Alabama at No. 5 Tennessee (4 p.m., ESPN)
- No. 12 Texas A&M at No. 3 Florida (8:30 p.m., SEC Network)
- No. 22 Arizona at No. 9 Iowa State (9 p.m., ESPN)
Below, we give our men’s college basketball best bets for Saturday, March 1.
How to Bet Auburn vs. Kentucky
Auburn vs. Kentucky Betting Odds
- Spread: Auburn -4.5 (-115) at DraftKings; Auburn -4.5 (-114) at FanDuel
- Total: 166.5 (O-108; U-112) at DK; 164.5 (O-115; U-105) at FD
Bruce Pearl’s Auburn Tigers have the best resume in the country. But even for a team that has played road games at Alabama and Duke this year, the trip to Rupp Arena to face first-year Kentucky coach Mark Pope’s Wildcats poses a tough challenge.
Kentucky boasts wins this year over Duke and Gonzaga in nonconference play, and they’ve also beaten several top SEC foes including Florida, Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Tennessee (twice).
Kentucky is one of the highest-scoring teams in the nation, but also one of the weakest defensively. That makes the over tempting every time UK takes the court, but especially against a great offensive team like Auburn.
The Wildcats have played in a number of high-scoring shootouts this year. They’ve put at least 80 points on the board in five of their last seven games, and they have given up 80 or more points a whopping 12 times.
Auburn vs. Kentucky Best Bets
In a matchup between two teams with this much offensive firepower, it’s unlikely that you’ll regret taking the over. We also recommend a small play on Kentucky to at least cover as 4.5-point home ‘dogs given how well this team has played at home this season.
- Over 164.5 (-115 at FD) — 1 unit
- Kentucky +4.5 (-105 at DK) — 0.5 units
How to Bet Alabama vs. Tennessee
Alabama vs. Tennessee Betting Odds
- Spread: Tenn -3.5 (-115) at DK; Tenn -3.5 (-112) at FD
- Total: 158.5 (O-110; U-110) at DK; same odds at FD
This contest pits one of the fastest-paced teams in the country (the Crimson Tide) vs. one of the slowest (the Vols). By KenPom’s adjusted tempo metric (opponent-adjusted possessions per 40 minutes), Alabama is No. 1, with an AdjT of 74.8, while the Vols’ AdjT of 63.8 is No. 346/
Tennessee, which went 6-1 in the month of February, with notable wins over Florida, Missouri and Texas A&M, could bolster its case for 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament with a home win over the Tide, who also still have a chance to capture a 1-seed in the Big Dance.
Bama’s breakneck pace and 3-point-heavy offensive approach give it a sky-high ceiling, but the safe play here is to go with the veteran Vols at home. UT starts four seniors and a junior, and sixth man Jordan Gainey is also a senior. That experience has helped the Vols post a 14-1 record at Thompson-Boling Arena this year.
Alabama vs. Tennessee Best Bet
- Tennessee -3.5 (-112 at FD) — 1 unit
How to Bet Texas A&M vs. Florida
Texas A&M vs. Florida Betting Odds
- Spread: Florida -9.5 (-110) at DK; same odds at FD
- Total: 148.5 (O-105; U-115) at DK; 147.5 (-110) at FD
Texas A&M had won seven of eight entering its Feb. 18 road matchup against Mississippi State. But the Aggies are now on a three-game losing streak including losses to the Bulldogs, Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores.
The losses to MSU and UT hardly set off red flags, but Wednesday’s home loss to Vandy as 7.5-point favorites was a head-scratcher. Texas A&M has been a solid defensive team almost all year (No. 7 in defensive rating, per KenPom), but it has not defended at its usual level during this three-game losing streak. Obviously, that doesn’t bode well for Saturday’s trip to the The Swamp.
The Gators are coming off a surprising loss of their own last Tuesday in Athens, Georgia, as 6.5-point road favorites, but Florida is the No. 3 team in the country for good reason, and it’s hard to see the Gators stumbling at home in this one.
I like the Aggies to bounce back well enough to cover as heavy road dogs, though, especially considering they have only lost by double-digits three times in 28 games this year.
Texas A&M vs. Florida Best Bet
- Texas A&M +9.5 (-110 at DK) — 1 unit
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