ESPN Analytics predicts outcome of Auburn-Tennessee game at SEC Tournament
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The No. 12 seed Auburn Tigers (17-15) face the No. 5 seed Tennessee Volunteers (21-10) in the SEC Tournament this afternoon. Both teams have a lot on the line. The Volunteers lie at No. 20 overall in ESPN’s Joe Lunardi’s Bracketology. A loss could potentially knock them down to a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Meanwhile, the Tigers are right on the bubble. Any win or loss could be the difference between them dancing and them being left out of the bracket.
These two teams matched up on Jan. 31, when Tennessee beat Auburn 77-69 in Knoxville. The defeat ended a four-game winning streak for the Tigers and sent them spiraling into a 2-8 finish to the regular season. That brutal run is what has their NCAA Tournament chances in jeopardy.
Auburn is in much bigger need of a victory than Tennessee. However, the worldwide leader in sports believes Rick Barnes’ team will come out on top today. According to ESPN Analytics, the Volunteers have a 66.9% chance of beating the Tigers.
Over on Kalshi, Tennessee is an even bigger favorite:
The anticipated return of Nate Ament should give Tennessee a boost in the contest. At the same time, his presence gives Auburn another obstacle to overcome in its fight for an NCAA Tournament berth. Tip off between the Volunteers and Tigers is at 3:00 p.m. E.T. (SEC Network).
