NCAA Tournament Elite 8 Auburn vs. Michigan State Odds, Best Bets
TJ Inman
Host · Writer
The Elite Eight concludes on Sunday, as the field for the Final Four will be set. The second matchup of the day is another Big Ten versus SEC bout as the top two seeds in the South Region square off in Atlanta. The Michigan State Spartans already beat one Southeastern Conference foe in the bracket as they survived a tough challenge from the Ole Miss Rebels to reach this stage. Likewise, the Auburn Tigers are fresh off a tremendous second half that used to knock out MSU’s rival Michigan behind a terrific effort from big man Johni Broome. Who will advance to take on the Florida Gators in San Antonio?
SportsGrid has a few best bets to prepare for this outstanding Atlanta matchup.
Where to Watch Michigan State vs Auburn
- Arena: State Farm Arena
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Where to Watch: CBS
- Time: 5:05 p.m. ET
- Spread: Auburn -5 | Total: 147.5
- Moneyline: MSU +190 | AUB -230
- SportsGrid Matchup Page
Please be aware that betting odds may change after the publication of this article.
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Michigan State vs Auburn Best Bet: Auburn -5 (-105)
With 12:26 remaining in the second half of Friday night’s matchup between Michigan and Auburn, the Tigers trailed by nine points and looked rattled. Despite a terrific statistical performance from their big man, Auburn needed more from their guards, and the Denver Jones and Tahaad Pettiford duo answered the call. Pettiford nailed a three, Denver Jones hit one from deep, and then added another, and a Pettiford layup gave Auburn a lead they would never relinquish. Michigan State will be a more formidable challenge, but the depth of weapons for Auburn will be too much for the Spartans to handle. The SportsGrid model has Auburn winning this game by nearly seven points and covering the spread.
Michigan State vs Auburn Best Total Bet: UNDER 147.5
A lot gets made of the Auburn offense, but the defense has been a catalyst for them during this tournament run. Since surrendering 91 points in the regular-season finale, Auburn allowed 57 to Ole Miss, 70 to Tennessee, 63 to Alabama State, 70 to Creighton, and just 65 to Michigan. The SportsGrid model continues that trend and projects this game to go comfortably under the spread of 147.5. Michigan State has a deep team that spreads the scoring burden, but do they have the star power to go toe-to-toe with the Tigers?
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Michigan State Best Player Bet: Coen Carr OVER 8.5 Points (-120)
Auburn will have the overall athletic advantage in this game, but Michigan State forward Coen Carr might be the best athlete on the floor. The sophomore’s playing time has increased during the tournament, including a season-high 32 minutes in the Sweet 16, and his athleticism and ability to attack the rim will be needed against Auburn. This type of game should favor Carr and his ability to finish at the basket and capitalize on fast breaks and runouts in transition. He has shown his improving game during this tournament, and he looks like a future star. Carr had 15 points on 6 of 10 shooting in the win over Ole Miss.
Auburn Best Player Bet: Tahaad Pettiford OVER 12.5 Points (-125)
Auburn five-star freshman Tahaad Pettiford is an outstanding playmaker who has a knack for stepping up in the biggest of games and moments. Pettiford’s confidence is at an all-time high after a very strong second half against the Michigan Wolverines. That game followed his team-high 23 points against Creighton in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and he has turned into the lead guard the Tigers have needed to make a run in the Big Dance. MSU has multiple guards they can throw Pettiford to disrupt him, but he is outstanding at hunting switches and then driving on bigger defenders to get to the basket for layups.
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