Auburn vs. Alabama: Prediction, Preview, How to Watch

Auburn takes on Alabama this afternoon in what promises to be one of the biggest college basketball games in history.

The game begins just after 4:00 PM Eastern — but doors opened early for students on campus at 7:30 in the morning.

Tickets for the game in the resale market start at around $400, before fees.

A Battle Between the Country’s No. 1 and No. 2 Teams

Anticipation for this matchup extends far beyond the University of Alabama campus.

This will not only be a battle between the country’s top two teams, but also a clash between two Southeastern Conference powerhouses. Both teams are tied atop the SEC with 10-1 records.

Players to Watch

Alabama guard Aden Holloway faces his former team in what will be a test of his fortitude. The sophomore is coming off a strong performance in Tuesday’s win over Texas, in which he scored 18 points off of 6-for-10 shooting from the field. Senior Mark Sears, who leads Alabama in scoring, is a projected late second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

The Auburn Tigers’ Johni Broome — a potential National Player of the Year candidate — continues to post big numbers despite his ankle injury last month. He’s averaging 19.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.6 blocks over the last five games. While he’s scoring more, the 6’10” senior’s efficiency is down.

The storylines extend to the coaches as well, with Alabama’s Nate Oats and Auburn’s Bruce Pearl both orchestrating dramatic turnarounds for their respective programs. Today’s game is a test run for the Big Dance — and whether they have what it takes to finally break their national title droughts.

Prediction

Alabama boasts the best offense in the country. It leads the NCAA with 90.5 points per game average. But Auburn is arguably the more balanced team — it can beat opponents on the outside and the inside, and is certainly the better defense.

Still, Auburn’s record this year shows it’s vulnerable to second-ranked Alabama. Its sole losses this year are to third-ranked Florida and fourth-ranked Duke. And the Crimson Tide may have an edge with the home-field advantage.

This is the first time the two teams face off this season. They’re set for a rematch on March 8 to close the regular season — just before the SEC Tournament begins. So whoever loses today will look forward to next month to even the score.

How to Watch Auburn vs. Alabama

The Auburn-Alabama game airs nationally on ESPN. Most cable and satellite subscriptions include ESPN and access to ESPN’s non-premium streaming service.

ESPN can also be streamed on its own standalone streaming service, ESPN+, and other live streaming services, including Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, and YouTube TV.

Fubu, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV offer free trials. If you’re looking to stick with a streaming provider, Sling offers the most affordable basic package.