#9 Creighton vs #1 Auburn NCAAB Pick: 1-9 Matchup Madness in Round Of 32

• Creighton defeated Louisville 89-75 in the NCAA Tournament’s first round.
• Auburn secured an 83-63 victory over Alabama State in their first-round matchup.
• These two teams last met on Mar. 16, 2000, Auburn won 72-69.

The #9 seed Creighton Bluejays are set to face the #1 seed Auburn Tigers in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Mar. 22, at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Both teams have showcased impressive performances this season, setting the stage for a thrilling contest. The winner will advance to the Sweet 16, moving one step closer to the national championship.

Are The Bluejays Up For The Task?

The Bluejays enter this matchup with a 25-10 overall record, having recently defeated Louisville 89-75 in the first round.

Their offense averages 75.6 points per game, ranking 133rd nationally, while their defense allows 69.7 points per game.

Key players include center Ryan Kalkbrenner, who has been instrumental in both scoring and defensive plays and guard Steven Ashworth, known for his playmaking abilities. Kalkbrenner leads the team in scoring with 19.2 points per game and boasts a 65.7% field goal percentage, while Ashworth averages 16.5 points and 6.8 assists per game.

To secure a win against Auburn, Creighton will need to capitalize on their offensive efficiency and strengthen their defensive efforts to counter the Tigers’ high-scoring offense.

Are The Tigers On Upset Alert?

The Tigers boast a 29-5 overall record, averaging 83.8 points per game, which ranks them among the top offenses nationally. They dominate opponents by an average of 14.4 points per game.

Standout players include junior forward Johni Broome, who averages 18.6 points per game, and freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford, who contributes significantly off the bench with an average of 11 points per game and a three-point shooting percentage over 37%.

Auburn’s strategy will focus on leveraging their offensive strengths and maintaining defensive pressure to disrupt Creighton’s rhythm.

Creighton Bluejays vs Auburn Tigers Pick

Auburn enters the game as an 8.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 150.5 points. The Tigers enter the game as a strong favorite, with their high-powered offense and depth posing significant challenges for Creighton. While the Bluejays have demonstrated resilience and the ability to compete at a high level, Auburn’s scoring capabilities and previous performances give them the edge in this contest. However, if Creighton can execute their game plan effectively and capitalize on Auburn’s defensive lapses, they have the potential to keep the game competitive. I’d bet on Auburn to win and possibly cover.