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The first matchup between AP No. 1 and No. 2 teams in SEC history takes place Saturday inside Coleman Coliseum between Auburn and Alabama. Both teams are gunning for the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Both teams are pushing for the regular-season SEC title. The winner will take a big step toward both.
Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Below are 4 picks for Saturday’s game that can be found on Underdog Fantasy. If you haven’t signed up with Underdog yet, be sure to use our exclusive Underdog Fantasy promo code SDS to earn up to $1,000 in bonus cash when you join!
Auburn F Johni Broome higher than 2.5 assists
I have my reservations about how much Alabama big man Clifford Omoruyi is going to be able to play in this game, but one way or another, Alabama is going to throw a ton of different looks at Broome in the post. Whether that’s Omoruyi trying to block shots or multiple Alabama defenders coming to double Broome, I think there are going to be opportunities for the Tigers’ leader to kick to teammates. Broome has 18 assists in his last 4 games. He had 18 points, 11 boards, and 6 assists for the Tigers against a Florida team that has a similar profile to Alabama in terms of frontcourt height. In what could very well be a free-flowing, up-and-down game, Broome could also rack up 1 or 2 assists on defensive rebounds and outlet passes. Broome is a savvy veteran and a willing passer. He’s averaging 4.1 assists per 40 minutes in conference play this season and Auburn is going to need every bit of production from him on Saturday.
Alabama G Mark Sears higher than 1.5 3-pointers made
I’m expecting Alabama to come out of the gates firing away from deep. A low-possession game favors the Tigers and the Tide have shown they can pull away from anyone in a free-flowing affair. That means Sears, who is taking 5.5 triples per game in conference play so far, is going to need to be aggressive in getting this offense going. Over the last 4 games, Sears has multiple makes from 3-point range 3 times. He has multiple makes in 15 of his 24 appearances this season. In 2 games against Auburn last season, Sears took 34 combined shots from the field. Alabama is going to need him to be just as aggressive against the Tigers on Saturday.
Alabama G Aden Holloway higher than 16.5 points + rebounds + assists
Holloway is coming off one of his best games of the season and will look to keep that momentum rolling against his former teammates. The Auburn transfer had 18 points, 6 rebounds, and an assist in Alabama’s win over Texas on Tuesday. It marked the 11th time in his last 13 appearances that Holloway topped double-digits in the scoring department. In conference play this season, Holloway is averaging 13.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists for the Crimson Tide while playing just 23 minutes a night. Holloway has played at least 25 minutes 9 times this season, and he has cleared this number in 8 of those 9 games. If Holloway gets to see extended action against his old team, I like him to bring a ton of energy to the floor. If Alabama plays small to try and run, Holloway will need to help on the boards. And Holloway could clear this number just on points on account of his 3-point shooting (4.7 attempts per game in conference play).
Auburn G Tahaad Pettiford higher than 0.5 steals
Alabama absolutely has a turnover problem. It hasn’t been enough yet to derail games, but it will absolutely be a factor on Saturday. The Tide have at least 14 turnovers in each of their last 5 games. Per KenPom, their 17.7% turnover rate ranks 206th nationally and their percentage of possessions that end in steals (10.4%) ranks 254th. Auburn has active hands, with a steal rate that ranks among the top 100 in the country. That effort is led by Chad Baker-Mazara and Pettiford, who each average 2.1 steals per 40 minutes. Pettiford has a steal in 3 of his last 4 games and in 18 of his 24 total appearances this year. He has multiple steals in 6 games as a true freshman. Pettiford is a guy who comes off the bench and gives the Tigers a jolt. Whether the game is tight or opened up, I like Pettiford to swipe at least one turnover from a Crimson Tide team that gives it up a little too freely.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
