The No. 5 Auburn Tigers (26-9) will be 5.5-point favorites in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena when they meet the No. 12 New Mexico State Aggies (30-4). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 147 points and it is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 21, 2019.
New Mexico State Aggies vs. Auburn Tigers ATS Odds
Both teams blew out their last opponent. The Tigers defeated the eighth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers 84-64, while the Aggies beat the Grand Canyon Antelopes 89-57.
New Mexico State dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 32.4 (below their season average of 37.0) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.638 (above their season average of 0.534). Grand Canyon recorded marks of 12.2 and 0.442, respectively, for those same stats. The Tigers, meanwhile, had a solid turnover percentage of 8.7 (better than their season average of 15.0) and held the Volunteers to an offensive rebounding percentage of 16.1 (below their season average of 31.9). Auburn was led by Chuma Okeke, who contributed 18 points and 13 rebounds. Trevelin Queen, meanwhile had a good game for New Mexico State, recording 27 points.
Aggies games tend to go under the total (55.2 percent). New Mexico State holds records of 30-4 straight up (SU) and 15-13-1 against the spread (ATS).
It’s tough to find a trend for Tigers games in regards to the total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under. Moreover, Auburn is 26-9 SU and 17-13-4 ATS.
This showdown pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Auburn ranks 17th in offensive efficiency and New Mexico State is 19th in defensive efficiency. Moreover, the Aggies, who rank ninth in offensive rebounding percentage (36.9 percent), will go head-to-head against the Tigers, who rank 315th in defensive rebounding percentage (67.7 percent).
New Mexico State Aggies vs. Auburn Tigers Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Auburn, ATS Winner – Auburn, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- New Mexico State averages 28.0 three pointers per game, which ranks 17th in the country. Auburn ranks 213th in three pointers allowed per game (23.6).
- The Aggies rank first in rebounds allowed per game (28.8) while the Tigers rank 162nd (35.0).
- New Mexico State ranks first in assists allowed per game (8.7) while Auburn ranks 79th (12.0).
- The Tigers rank fourth in steals per game (9.4) while the Aggies rank 190th (5.6).
- Auburn ranks 16th in blocks per game (4.8) while New Mexico State ranks 186th (2.6).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Aggies have scored an average of 84.2 points per game (6.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 59.8 points per game (4.3 below their season average).
- The Tigers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.2, down from 11.1 for the season.
