ESPN predicts Auburn's Final Four Matchup with Florida
ESPN predicts Auburn's Final Four Matchup with Florida Does ESPN believe Auburn will advance to their first National Championship Game appearance?
The Auburn Tigers had doubters as the 2025 NCAA Tournament began, losing three of four games entering March Madness. The number one overall seed has done what was supposed to do and reached the Final Four in San Antonio, Texas. Despite that, the doubters remain for the Tigers. Most national media believe the Florida Gators will win on Saturday night.
The ESPN Matchup Predictor gives the Tigers a 57.9% chance of winning the game and advancing to the championship on Monday night. However, BetMGM has Florida as a 2.5-point favorite. This is a game that will most likely not be decided until the final minutes.
Auburn has defeated Alabama State, Creighton, Michigan, and Michigan State on its road to the Final Four. The Tigers are averaging 78.3 points per game and are shooting 44% from the field in those games. Defensively, they have held their four opponents to 65.5 points per game, with Creighton scoring the most at 70 points. Auburn's defense has held those teams to 33% shooting.
The big story for Auburn heading into the game with Florida is the health of Johni Broome. He got off to a slow start offensively in the tournament, but played well in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight. Broome is averaging 17.3 points per game and has been great with 13.3 rebounds per game. Auburn's second-leading scorer in the NCAA Tournament has been Tahaad Pettiford with 17.3 points per game.
Against the Gators, Auburn will need to play great defense, especially against the three-point shot. The Tigers have held their four opponents to 33% from beyond the three-point line. That defense begins with slowing down Florida guard Walter Clayton, Jr. He averages 24.8 points per game and is 45% from deep. He has been clutch for the Gators and performed some heroics in wins versus UConn and Texas Tech. That assignment should belong to Denver Jones.
For the Tigers to prove the ESPN Matchup Predictor correct, they will need a big game from Chad Baker-Mazara. He had a good performance versus Creighton with 17 points, but overall, he is averaging just 8.5 points per game. Also, he is just shooting 28%. The Final Four matchup between the Auburn Tigers and Florida Gators will be broadcast on CBS with a tip-off time of 5:09 p.m. CT.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Phillip on Twitter @PJordanSEC
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