Alabama Crimson Tide at Auburn Tigers
Tuesday, 2/7/12, 9:00 PM EST, TV: ESPNU
Opening Point Spread: Alabama -5
Current Betting Line: Alabama -5.5
Opening Total: 117
Current Total: 120
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Alabama returns to the road for the first time in nearly two weeks when it faces Auburn in the first of two games in the 2011-12 series. The Crimson Tide have won two straight games, but have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six contests. The program leads this particular series by an 87-56 margin, with the series being 25-25 in games played in Auburn. Defense is the key to the program’s success this year, sitting 14th in the country in allowing just 58.3 points per game, which is the second-best mark among SEC schools. Alabama is 7-10 ATS as a favorite this year.
The Crimson Tide have been getting incredible production out of their bench over the past three games, as the reserves have averaged 28.3 points per game in those contests. Trevor Releford is certainly a player to watch in this contest, averaging 13.7 points over his last six games. Senior forward JaMychal Green is still the leading scorer offensively, coming in averaging 13.8 points per game, while also being the conference’s leader in career double-doubles.
Auburn has dropped three of its last four games overall, but bettors should realize that the program has won its last three SEC home games since dropping a 68-53 contest to the Kentucky Wildcats as 17.5-point underdogs on Jan. 11. The Tigers are scoring 58.6 points per game, while surrendering 64.4 points a contest, which has led to getting outscored by 5.9 points a game. Shooting free throws is definitely not a strength of the team, hitting just 66.9 percent of its attempts from the charity stripe. Auburn is 5-1 ATS at home this season.
The Tigers have won six of their last 10 meetings with the Crimson Tide, but dropped a 68-58 decision in last year’s game in front of the home fans. Auburn is 12-1 inside Auburn Arena this year, which would be the team’s best home record in 12 years if the season ended today. Two starters are currently averaging double figures offensively, with senior forward Kenny Gabriel leading the way in scoring 12.3 points and grabbing 8.0 rebounds per game.
Bettors will likely back the Tigers due to their 37-15-2 ATS mark versus conference opponents, while the Crimson Tide are 1-5 ATS in the same situation.
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