As the Auburn Tigers prepare to face the Creighton Bluejays in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, the basketball community is abuzz with predictions and analyses. The Tigers, boasting a 29-5 record, are the No. 1 seed, while the Bluejays, at 25-10, hold the No. 9 seed. The game is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on TBS and truTV.
Auburn enters the matchup as a 9.5-point favorite, with the total points over/under set at 150.5. Despite this, some experts anticipate a closer contest. The Montgomery Advertiser predicts a narrow victory for Creighton, 72-69, citing Auburn’s inconsistent performance in their previous game against Alabama State, where a 13-point lead dwindled to one before they regained control.
In contrast, Sportsbook Review projects Auburn to cover the spread, predicting a final score of 88-73 in favor of the Tigers. This optimism is based on Auburn’s strong finish in their first-round game, where they outscored Alabama State 51-32 after a slow start.
Player performances will be pivotal in this matchup. Auburn’s Johni Broome has been a standout, averaging 18.7 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. For Creighton, Ryan Kalkbrenner leads with 19.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. The battle between these two could significantly influence the game’s outcome.
Given the contrasting predictions and the high stakes of the tournament, this game promises to be a thrilling encounter. While Auburn has the statistical edge, Creighton’s potential for an upset cannot be overlooked.
