Michigan (27-9) vs Auburn (30-5)
- When: Mar 28 2025, 9:39 PM
- Where: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Where to watch: CBS
Auburn vs. Michigan Betting Preview: Tigers Look to Punch Ticket to Elite Eight
Line: Auburn -8.5 | Total: 154.5
Auburn Outlook:
Elite Hopes, Frontcourt Firepower, and Revenge on Their Mind
Top-seeded Auburn enters Friday night’s South Region semifinal against Michigan with both history and momentum on their side. A win would give Bruce Pearl’s squad a program-record 31 victories and send them to their third Elite Eight. The Tigers (30-5) have already taken care of business in the opening rounds, dispatching Alabama State and Creighton with relative ease.
But now the stakes rise dramatically.
With Johni Broome leading the charge — averaging 18.4 points and 10.7 boards — the Tigers are built to wear teams down. Broome’s physical presence in the paint will be key, especially against Michigan’s towering duo. Auburn’s depth and versatility are also showing, with freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford making waves off the bench, averaging 19.5 points in the tournament, outperforming even his regular-season average (11.5 PPG).
Auburn owns nine wins over teams still alive in the bracket and continues to look like one of the most battle-tested squads. With Pearl’s team covering four of their last five games and the under cashing in three of their last four, the Tigers appear to be clicking at the right time.
Michigan Outlook:
Transfer-Powered Wolverines Playing with Confidence
Michigan (27-9) enters the Sweet 16 riding a wave of confidence, thanks to a masterclass in roster construction by first-year coach Dusty May. With a team built from the transfer portal, including standouts Vladislav Goldin (FAU) and Danny Wolf (Yale), the Wolverines have transformed from Big Ten afterthoughts into legitimate threats.
Goldin leads Michigan with 16.8 points per game and has been a force in the paint during March Madness, while Wolf contributes 13 points and 9.8 boards a night. Both have tournament experience and were key factors in wins over UC San Diego and Texas A&M. Wolf, in particular, has a score to settle — his Yale squad knocked off Auburn in last year’s tournament.
May knows Michigan will need to be sharp on both ends, especially slowing Broome, who initiates much of Auburn’s offense. If Michigan’s frontcourt can neutralize the Tigers’ post game and keep the pace under control, they can hang around late.
Betting Trends & Prediction
Auburn is 4-1 ATS in its last five games
Michigan has covered in 6 of its last 8
The Over has hit in 5 of Auburn’s last 7
Michigan is 3-0 ATS as an underdog in the tournament
This matchup screams “battle in the paint,” with Broome vs. Goldin/Wolf as the headliner. Auburn’s deeper guard play and tournament-tested defense should be enough to get them past the Wolverines, but Michigan’s physicality will keep it closer than the number suggests.
Final Score Prediction: Auburn 81, Michigan 75
Best Bet: Michigan +8.5
Lean: Over 154.5
- NCAAB Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
