Auburn Tigers vs Tennessee Volunteers Picks and Predictions for Thursday March 12 2026
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The Auburn Tigers and Tennessee Volunteers meet in the SEC Tournament 2nd Round on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET with television coverage on the SEC Network. Tennessee enters the matchup as a -5.5 favorite, while Auburn is listed at +5.5, and the total for the game is 147.5 according to DraftKings. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more daily predictions and betting insights.
Tigers Advance After Strong Second-Half Surge
The Auburn Tigers enter this matchup with a 17-15 overall record and a 7-11 mark in SEC play this season. Auburn advanced to the second round of the SEC Tournament after defeating Mississippi State 79-61 in the first round. Over their last five games, Auburn has recently won over Mississippi State and LSU, while also recently losing to Alabama, Ole Miss, and Oklahoma.
Auburn averages 83.5 points per game while allowing 79.6 points per game this season. The Tigers shoot 46% from the field, pull down 36.1 rebounds per game, and average 12.8 assists per contest. Defensively, Auburn contributes 4.2 blocks and 7.5 steals per game, using aggressive defensive pressure to generate transition opportunities.
In their tournament win over Mississippi State, Kevin Overton led Auburn with 22 points and added 5 assists, helping guide the offense after halftime. Elyjah Freeman controlled the boards with 10 rebounds, leading the Tigers’ effort on the glass. Auburn outrebounded Mississippi State 43-39 and knocked down 11 three-pointers, showing the perimeter shooting that can make them dangerous in tournament play. However, the Tigers now face a short turnaround, which could become a factor against a rested Tennessee squad.
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Volunteers Look to Bounce Back with Rest Advantage
The Tennessee Volunteers enter this matchup with a 21-10 overall record and an 11-7 mark in SEC play, earning a bye into the second round of the SEC Tournament. Over their last five games, Tennessee has recently won over South Carolina and Vanderbilt, while also recently losing to Vanderbilt, Alabama, and Missouri.
Tennessee averages 80.1 points per game while allowing just 69.4 points per game this season. The Volunteers shoot 47% from the field, collect 42.6 rebounds per game, and average 17.1 assists per contest. On the defensive side, Tennessee contributes 3.5 blocks and 7.6 steals per game, combining strong rebounding with active perimeter defense.
In their most recent game, Tennessee fell to Vanderbilt 86-82, but Amari Evans led the Volunteers with 24 points, keeping the offense competitive throughout the game. J.P. Estrella led Tennessee on the boards with 10 rebounds, providing a strong interior presence. Tennessee collected 40 rebounds in the contest but struggled from three-point range, shooting 25% from deep. With the extra rest from the first-round bye, the Volunteers will look to improve their perimeter efficiency and use their rebounding advantage to control the game.
Auburn Tigers vs Tennessee Volunteers Pick
Auburn Tigers vs Tennessee Volunteers Spread Pick
- Pick: Tennessee Volunteers -5.5
Tennessee enters this matchup with the rest advantage and one of the strongest defensive profiles in the SEC. Auburn showed solid effort in its first-round win, but the Tigers now face a deeper and more balanced Tennessee team that excels on the boards and in half-court defense. With fresher legs and a defensive edge, the Volunteers should be able to gradually pull away in the second half.
Auburn Tigers vs Tennessee Volunteers Total Pick
- Pick: Under 147.5
I like the under in this matchup because Tennessee tends to slow games down with its defensive style and strong rebounding presence. Auburn scored 79 points in its last game, but that came against a Mississippi State team that allowed plenty of open looks. With Tennessee’s defense tightening up possessions and forcing tougher shots, I expect a more controlled pace that keeps the total below the number.
Final Score Prediction: Tennessee 74, Auburn 67
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