🏀 Auburn vs. Alabama Prediction & Odds: College Basketball Picks Today (March 7)

Nothing but pride is on the line in Saturday's rivalry matchup between Alabama and Auburn at 8:30 p.m. ET in the Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on ESPN. Still, both in-state rivals would love to end the regular season with a win.

In the first meeting between these two teams, Alabama earned a hard-fought 96-92 road victory. But my Auburn vs. Alabama prediction expects the Crimson Tide to have an easier time at home, which is why I'm willing to lay the 7.5-point spread in Saturday's rematch.

🏀 Auburn vs. Alabama picks & odds today: March 7

See all of our experts' college basketball picks based on the latest college basketball odds; picks rated on a 1-to-5 star confidence scale based on betting value.

Total wagered: 2 units | Max profit: 1.9 units

💰 Auburn vs. Alabama prediction & best bet

Alabama -6.5 (-118)

I'd lay the -7.5 available that's at most of the best sports betting sites, but I'm willing to pay the higher vig to grab BetMGM's line instead. This is a four-star pick at -6.5, whereas I'd drop it down to three stars for -7.5.

KenPom projects the Crimson Tide to win by nine, which makes sense given Auburn's recent form. The Tigers have lost seven of their last nine games since Jan. 31, falling from No. 26 overall on KenPom to their current ranking of 40th. Auburn has only covered the spread once in its past 10 contests.

Alabama is coming off its first loss since Feb. 1, so I wouldn't be surprised if this team is motivated to bounce back in Saturday's finale.

Score prediction: Alabama 93, Auburn 84

🔥 Best Auburn vs. Alabama player prop bet

Labaron Philon Jr. Over 4.5 assists (+105)

Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. is averaging 21.5 points and 4.8 assists per game this season. While his scoring has remained consistent throughout the year, Philon does have some interesting home-road splits when it comes to assists.

Philon is averaging 5.6 dimes in 17 home games, but that drops to 3.5 assists in 11 road contests. That bodes well in Saturday's rematch, considering Philon dished six assists in the first meeting with Auburn.

I love getting a +105 price tag for this ticket, but I'd play it at -110 or better as a four-star play.

🚀 Auburn vs. Alabama same-game parlay

I don't have more than two predictions for this game, so my Auburn vs. Alabama parlay focuses on backing Labaron Philon Jr. and the Crimson Tide. At bet365, laying -6.5 made this parlay +240 compared to +210 for -5.5. I think it's worth sacrificing the 30 cents to get below two possessions. That's why I've opted to use an alternate spread in this SGP.

💡 How I'm betting Auburn vs. Alabama

Follow all of our college basketball analysis and expert predictions this season.

My handicap of Auburn vs. Alabama is pretty straightforward, as evidenced by my two full-unit wagers on as many picks. I like Alabama's chances of taking care of business against its in-state foe, and I think Philon's assist prop is a better bet in home games.

It's worth remembering that this battle doesn't have much at stake. These two teams have next week's SEC tournament on deck, with Auburn slated to play in the first round on Wednesday and Alabama not competing until Friday as the No. 2 seed.

It's a rivalry matchup, so there are still bragging rights on the line. But there isn't much more than that, so I wouldn't go crazy with betting this game.

📊 Live Auburn vs. Alabama odds

Alabama opened as an 8.5-point favorite, but the line has dropped to 7.5 as of Saturday morning. The total has remained at 176.5.

Given this is a battle between two familiar foes, I think the early action makes sense. But I wouldn't be surprised if the Crimson Tide got more love ahead of tipoff, particularly due to the Tigers' recent form.

📈 Auburn vs. Alabama betting trends

📺 How to watch Auburn vs. Alabama

• Date: Saturday, March 7
• Tipoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Coleman Coliseum (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
• TV: ESPN