Michigan vs. Auburn Prediction: Can the Wolverines Start Hot Against Johni Broome, Tigers in Sweet 16?

The Sweet Sixteen's late slate features a quality matchup between 5-seed Michigan and 1-seed Auburn in the South Region of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines are one of the most heavily bet teams ahead of Friday night's tip-off, getting 9 points on the spread against the Tigers.

Michigan's late surge in the 2nd half against Texas A&M led to an upset win in the Round of 32. The Wolverines barely survived 12-seed UC San Diego in the First Round, blowing a double-digit lead at halftime in a low-scoring game. Auburn didn't start fast against 16-seed Alabama State. The Tigers then pulled away from a good Creighton offense in the 2nd half of their Round of 32 game, shooting efficiently and dominating the boards.

NCAAB handicapper Matt MacKay is here to share his favorite bet to place on tonight's Sweet Sixteen matchup between 5-seed Michigan and 1-seed Auburn, using the latest odds. Follow Matt's X account for more NCAAB betting insight and free picks during March Madness.

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Michigan vs. Auburn Odds

• Spread: Michigan +9 (-110), Auburn -9 (-110)
• Moneyline: Michigan (+340), Auburn (-400)
• Total: Over 154.5 (-110), Under 154.5 (-105)

Michigan vs. Auburn Date, Time, and Where to Watch

• Date: Friday, March 28, 2025
• Time: 9:39 PM ET
• How to Watch: CBS

Click here for latest Michigan vs. Auburn Odds

Michigan vs. Auburn Prediction

The line movement on the point spread and point total between Michigan and Auburn has seen a lot of action since being released earlier this week. Michigan is one of the most popular upset picks in the Sweet Sixteen, despite getting +9 on the point spread.

Auburn's being undervalued by public bettors but oddsmakers have them as a -9 favorite against the Wolverines tonight. F Johni Broome has been in contention with Cooper Flagg for the John Wooden Award, which goes to college basketball's Player of the Year. Broome will have his hands full against Michigan's front-court, featuring 7-footers Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf.

The Wolverines back court has been its weakness. Inconsistent shooting puts a burden on Goldin and Wolf to dominate the boards and create second-chance scoring opportunities for Michigan's offense.

Auburn is slightly worse than Michigan in total rebound percentage at 52.9% compared to 53.4 percent for the wolverines. However, the Tigers' offense is statistically much better than the Wolverines, ranked fifth in offensive rating (121.0) and 27th in true shooting percentage (58.6%) this season. Michigan is 60th in true shooting percentage (57.4%) and 113th in offensive rating (110.2).

Both defenses are virtually the same in defensive rating at 69th (Michigan) and 71st (Auburn), so this game comes down to who will score buckets in clutch situations. Auburn's back court is much deeper and more reliable than Michigan's back court, with four guards averaging at least 10.8 to 12.5 points per game.

The game within the game will be monitoring how Broome handles Wolf and Goldin in the paint. Broome averages 10.7 rebounds and leads the Tigers with 18.4 points per game. He'll have a tough assignment against both 7-footers tonight, as he's the primary player in the interior for Auburn.

Let's pivot to a 1st half betting market in this Sweet 16 matchup and grab the points with Michigan at +4.5. Michigan hasn't lost a 1st half by more than four points during its current five-game winning streak. Auburn has only covered 1st half -4.5 in two of its last six games, which came against Ole Miss and 16-seed Alabama State. We're betting a unit on Michigan 1st half +4.5 against Auburn tonight.

Michigan vs. Auburn Pick

• Pick: Michigan 1st Half +4.5 (-108) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best price on Michigan vs. Auburn odds

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