Final Four: Expert predictions for Auburn vs. Florida in March Madness
Final Four: Expert predictions for Auburn vs. Florida in March Madness Here is what Auburn Wire writers are saying about the Tigers' Final Four matchup with the Florida Gators.
The Auburn Tigers will meet the Florida Gators on Saturday in the Final Four at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. For Auburn, it will be the second time in program history that they will compete in a Final Four, and its first since the 2018-19 season.
From here on out, every game that Auburn plays will be a rematch. Auburn is 1-2 against the Final Four field, which includes a loss to Florida. The Gators upset Auburn on Feb. 8 in Neville Arena, 90-81, behind a strong performance from Walter Clayton Jr., who scored 19 points in the game. Auburn led by as many as 10 points before Florida stole momentum and led by as many as 21 points.
How will the rematch shake out? Auburn Wire writers Taylor Jones, Brian Hauch, and Phillip Jordan shared their predictions and factors ahead of Saturday's Final Four clash between the Tigers and Gators. Here is what our writers are looking for this Saturday.
Win the battle at the stripe
Free throws played a giant factor in Auburn's loss to the Gators in February, where they shot 61%. Auburn has shot above 70% from the free throw stripe twice in the NCAA Tournament while Florida has shot worse than 75% only once, its 77-75 round of 32 win over the defending national champion UConn Huskies. I expect Tahaad Pettiford, Denver Jones, and Miles Kelly to step up, however, if it comes down to a free-throw shooting contest, Florida will escape victorious. - Taylor Jones
Final Score: Florida 82 Auburn 78
Denver Jones needs to do Denver Jones things
Other than the obvious need to have Johni Broome healthy, Auburn's perimeter defense, mainly when it comes to guarding Walter Clayton Jr., is the biggest key to the game for me. The Gators guard scored 19 points against the Tigers back in February, and comes into the Final Four leading the tournament with 89 points. If there was ever time for a Denver Jones legacy game, it's on Saturday. - Brian Hauch
Final Score: Florida 83 Auburn 80
Calling all guards
A big key for the Auburn Tigers on Saturday will be how they perform on the defensive end. While it is hard to stop Walter Clayton, making him work hard on the offensive end will be key. Denver Jones has been great all season, and this will be his most important defensive assignment. In Auburn's 90-81 loss in February, free throw shooting hurt them with a 14-of-23 performance. Expect Johni Broome to get his points, but the guards will need to play a complete game not just a great half. Most experts nationally are not picking Auburn to win this one. - Phillip Jordan
Final Score: Auburn 78 Florida 73
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