aubiefifty

flywareagle.com Auburn football QB commit Walker White recruiting 5-star safety Mary Kate Hughes 2–3 minutes Auburn football Recruit K.J. Bolden visits Ohio Stadium during the Ohio State, Michigan game. Kj Bolden The Auburn football program pulled off an amazing recruiting upset when 4-star quarterback Walker White chose Hugh Freeze’s Tigers over Dabo Swinney’s. White was widely expected to commit to Clemson, but a last-minute push from Freeze and Auburn cemented the 2024 QB in the Tigers’ next recruiting class. As an early commit, White made it clear that he was fully sold on Auburn football and that he intends to become an active recruiter for the Tigers. The QB listed quite a few 2024 recruits by name, even a few that have already given verbal pledges to other programs, as guys he plans on recruiting to the Plains, including Alabama commit Perry Thompson, Daniel Calhoun, and Cameron Coleman. White also has his eye on a 5-star safety out of the Peach State. KJ Bolden, who is ranked as the #2 overall prospect and the #1 safety in the recruiting class of 2024, was on the Plains this week to check out the Tigers’ first scrimmage of spring ball. Hotel at Auburn…ran into KJ Bolden…War Eagle KJ! @KhalilBolden2 ! @AuburnFootball pic.twitter.com/wXiANBrHWc — Walker White (@walker_white5) March 17, 2023 The #1 player out of the state of Georgia, Bolden has 40 offers from top programs around the nation, including the usual suspects Georiga and Alabama along with Ohio State, Oregon, Clemson, and more. Bolden has made quite a few trips to Georgia’s campus in Athens, but has plenty of visits scheduled to other programs and noted that Auburn definitely has a chance in his recruitment after his Friday visit. He got the chance to meet with the Tigers’ new staff and speak with his would-be coach Zac Etheridge. Though Bolden does not have an official visit with Auburn football planned at this time, it’s likely that Freeze and the staff could get the highly coveted safety back on campus again before his recruitment is over.

auburnwire.usatoday.com Auburn football assigns jersey numbers to new transfers Taylor Jones ~2 minutes Auburn football hauled in an impressive transfer class during the first window. Now, those transfers are on campus and are working to impress coach Hugh Freeze and staff in an effort to take a starting position in the fall. Auburn acquired 12 players from the transfer portal, and ended the cycle with the No. 4 class, trailing only Florida State, LSU, and Colorado. Several of Auburn’s headlining newcomers include running back Brian Battie from USF, Western Kentucky’s Gunner Britton, and Avery Johnson from ECU. Each of Auburn’s 12 transfer portal players from the 2023 cycle is expected to play a role with their new team. Buy Tigers Tickets Ahead of A-Day on Saturday, April 8, here’s a look at what number each transfer will be wearing this upcoming season. Jersey number: 0 Position: LB Previous school: LSU Jersey number: 8 Position: WR Previous school: Cincinnati Jersey number: 11 Position: EDGE Previous school: Vanderbilt Jersey number: 12 Position: LB Previous school: Ole Miss Jersey number: 13 Position: TE Previous school: Florida International Jersey number: 21 Position: RB Previous school: South Florida Jersey number: 33 Position: DL Previous school: Maryland Jersey number: 52 Position: OT Previous school: Tulsa Jersey number: 53 Position: OT Previous school: Western Kentucky Jersey number: 66 Position: OL Previous school: East Carolina Jersey number: 92 Position: DL Previous school: Purdue Jersey number: 97 Position: DL Previous school: Kentucky

flywareagle.com Jake Thornton: Auburn football OL will be built around upperclassman Mary Kate Hughes 2–3 minutes Auburn football Jan 1, 2021; Orlando, FL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Peyton Ramsey (12) throws a pass as Northwestern Wildcats offensive lineman Ethan Wiederkehr (76) blocks Auburn Tigers defensive tackle Jeremiah Wright (76) during the second half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports Every Auburn football fan is hoping to see a revamped offensive line in 2023. With the hiring of head coach Hugh Freeze came a lot of new o-linemen, from high school prospects to transfers and former JUCO players, but there are several key returners on the roster, as well. Last season, Jeremiah Wright was able to make a name for himself on the offensive side of the ball after injuries took out several players and left holes on the roster that needed to be filled. Wright was initially recruited as an OL but switched over to the defense ahead of his first season on the Plains. After missing the 2021 season while recovering from surgery, Wright returned to game action in 2022 as an offensive lineman, which is a role he will continue to play in 2023 according to new offensive line coach Jake Thornton. AL.com reports that defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett was interested in bringing Wright back to the defense, but Thornton had no plans to remove Wright from the OL: “Oh, I’m not letting him go,” Thornton said last month. “…I said, ‘No, he’s an offensive lineman.’ He’s going to be a huge, huge part of our offense, and he’s going to be somebody we’re going to build this unit around.” After so much switching around during his first few years on the Plains, Wright is ready to make his mark on the offensive line this season. Even with so many new linemen, Wright is expected to be a starter at left guard this fall and is working hard to maintain a high level of toughness and develop the mentality of an offensive lineman. With Coach Thornton’s belief that Wright can be one of the best offensive linemen in the league, the junior has every opportunity to become a major impact player for Auburn football this season.

Auburn is an underdog against Houston in the second round of the NCAA Tournament JD McCarthy ~2 minutes The Auburn Tigers are set to face the Houston Cougars Saturday for a spot in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament. The No. 9 Tigers are hoping to shock the No. 1 Cougars and will have some advantages. The game will be played in Legacy Arena in Birmingham and Auburn should have plenty of fans cheering them on. The Cougars are coming off an 11-point victory over Northern Kentucky in the first round but both Jamal Shead and Marcus Sasser are battling injuries. Shead is playing through a hyper-extended knee while Sasser aggravated a groin injury and played just 14 minutes last game. Houston may be battling some injuries but they are still one of the favorites to win the tournament and are favored over Auburn. BetMGM has them favored by 5.5 points over the Tigers. Here is everything you need to know about the game before you place a bet. RELATED: Getting to know the Houston Cougars Betting Lines The lines, courtesy of BetMGM Point spread: Auburn +5.5 Over-under: 132.5 Auburn Money Line: +200 Houston Money Line: -250 Click here to place your bets at BetMGM. Injury Report AUBURN Chance Westry Knee Out for the season HOUSTON Marcus Sasser Groin Questionable for Saturday’s game Advice and Prediction The Cougars may be hobbled but are still a dangerous team and it will take a great game from Auburn to pull off the upset. Auburn’s offense is coming off a great performance but a matchup against Houston’s elite defense will cool them off and points will be at a premium for both teams. I expect Houston’s defense to lead them to victory but Auburn will cover the 5.5-point spread. Story originally appeared on Auburn Wire

247sports.com Can 'The Rook' be Auburn's X-factor once again vs. Houston? Nathan King 5–6 minutes BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — It was a heated contest of one-on-one, Tre Donaldson said. Earlier this season, he and junior guard K.D. Johnson found themselves trading blows in a quick matchup inside Neville Arena. Johnson, of course, believed he’d easily grab the upper hand. But Donaldson, a freshman, continued to match Johnson’s shot-making. “So he goes, ‘I guess I have a rook now,’” Donaldson said Friday. “That’s why I’m ‘The Rook.’” Auburn’s youngest scholarship player in the main rotation this season by a decent margin, Donaldson leans on the experience around him in the backcourt. Johnson, Wendell Green Jr. and Zep Jasper have taken him under their wing to ensure he squeezes everything he can out of his freshman campaign with a team now standing as one of the last 32 in college basketball. And Donaldson certainly takes advantage of the guidance, especially with the trials that come with being a player in his position on a Bruce Pearl team. Pearl has long shared that he coaches his point guards harder than anyone on the team, and the same can also be said for freshmen. Going back to the likes of J'Von McCormick at point, or names like Isaac Okoro and Jabari Smith as youngsters, Pearl holds a high standard for both those demographics on his rosters. Donaldson gets the best of both worlds. “I'm probably harder on Tre almost than anybody else on our team,” Pearl said Friday. “Now, you wouldn't imagine. Why would you be hard on a freshman point guard? It's because he is really talented, and he can handle it.” That kind of tough love isn’t always easy for a freshman, so Donaldson takes to his mentors in the backcourt. “BP is one of those coaches where his point guards are his leaders,” Jasper said. “He teaches them everything, 1-through-5. You just have to be prepared playing in that system.” A former 3-star recruit from Tallahassee, Florida, Donaldson said he probably leans on Jasper, Auburn's starting point guard last season, more than anyone else for his wisdom and steady approach. “Zep being one of the oldest guys on our team — he’s been around the block a few times,” Donaldson said. “He’s been an all-conference guard. Just picking his mind. I ask a lot of questions because I want to be the best at what I do. I’m a natural-born leader, so I want to get as much as possible out of him.” Playing 10.6 minutes per game, Donaldson solidified himself as Auburn’s backup point guard behind Green approximately a month into the season. Though rarely an explosive offensive punch off the bench — though he made his name known in this year’s March Madness with an electric performance against Iowa — Donaldson is efficient with his time on the floor. He shoots 36.7 percent from beyond the arc, good for the second-best clip on the team, and only turns it over 0.6 times per game. Green said, despite the difference in experience level, Donaldson is still able to teach him a thing or two during and after games, which he thinks displays Donaldson’s maturity and development. “He came in as a freshman knowing who’s in front of him,” Green said. “He just competed with me the whole summer and the whole fall. He’s got my respect. I’m teaching him things out there, and he’s still telling me things out there he’s seeing.” Of course, Auburn hopes Donaldson can be an X-factor once again when the Tigers take on 1-seed Houston on Saturday night (6:10 p.m. CST, TBS). The point guard caught fire in Auburn’s 83-75 win over Iowa on Thursday, draining all three of attempts from beyond the arc and scoring all 11 of his points in the second half. It was his first outing scoring in double figures since he had 12 points in the USC loss all the way back in mid December. Johnson matched him with 11 points, and Auburn got 26 points from its bench in the NCAA Tournament opener. Against a team that was rated NET No. 1 in the country for the majority of the season, Auburn could certainly use another even scoring performance from all levels of its lineup. And if Donaldson is to again contribute highly, he'll probably credit his upperclassman teammates in the backcourt. “At the end of the day, they just get me prepared for moments like tomorrow and yesterday," Donaldson said.

Auburn vs. Houston: Lineups, injury reports and broadcast info for Saturday’s second round game Taylor Jones 2–3 minutes Auburn basketball plays Houston on Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and if you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place. There have been a handful of upsets throughout the first round of the NCAA Tournament. No. 9 Auburn hopes to record its second upset in as many rounds when they face the No. 1 seed of the Midwest Region on Saturday evening at Legacy Arena in Birmingham. Auburn will have its work cut out for them as they face Houston, the team with the best odds to win the national championship according to BetMGM. One of the reasons why Houston is successful is their ability to rebound at a high rate. The Cougars currently rank No. 7 in the country in rebounding by pulling down 38.9 rebounds per game. In Auburn’s first round win over Iowa, Auburn was out-rebounded by the Hawkeyes, 44-38. Head coach Bruce Pearl says that it will be important for his team to limit Houston on the boards. “Knowing that we’re going to have to put bodies on bodies, and some of our guys may not be able to get a rebound, but they have to make sure that their matchup doesn’t get a rebound. So it will be our biggest challenge tomorrow will be keeping Houston off the glass.” RELATED: Getting to know the Houston Cougars Below, you will find all of the information you need for Saturday’s second-round game in Birmingham, including a how-to-watch guide, an injury report, and a projected starting five. How to watch/listen to Saturday's game Here’s when you should tune in to see the game: Date: Saturday, March 18 Time: 6:10 p.m. CT TV Channel: TBS (Jim Nantz, Bill Raftery, Grant Hill, Tracy Wolfson) Radio: Auburn Sports Network (Andy Burcham, Joe Ciampi) Auburn vs. Houston injury report AUBURN Chance Westry Knee Out for the season HOUSTON Marcus Sasser Groin Questionable for Saturday’s game Projected Starting Five AUBURN G Wendell Green Jr. G Zep Jasper G Allen Flanigan F Jaylin Williams F Johni Broome HOUSTON G Marcus Sasser G Jamal Shead G Tramon Mark F J’Wan Roberts F Jarace Walker Players to watch AUBURN Johni Broome Allen Flanigan Wendell Green Jr. HOUSTON Marcus Sasser J’Wan Roberts Jarace Walker Story originally appeared on Auburn Wire

i was thinking 7 with the freeze factor. but i heard we got some coaches that can coach now and actually teach like the NFL does.

if he is from ol miss i hope he kills it so i can thumb my nose at the kid named kiffen.

i want a gunslinger QB but i bet if worse case we get no one i still think freeze gets us bowling anyone. do you agree or is that a stretch?

i have heard the kid we got from maryland is a dawg according to his teammates and the best i reemember his stats were great. who ya got?

jesus guys yall are making this ol bastid teary eyed. thanks for the love. and of course keep bringing the thunder when i screw up.....grins. but really it means the world to me.

Auburn's Yohan Traore addresses future but focusing on NCAA Tournament run Published: Mar. 17, 2023, 5:51 p.m. 5–6 minutes When Bruce Pearl signaled down toward the end of the bench Thursday night and called Yohan Traore’s name, the freshman combo forward felt a jolt of excitement course through him. Traore’s freshman season hasn’t gone as some would have expected, given his five-star status as one of the top-25 players in the 2022 class. He essentially fell out of Auburn’s regular rotation at the start of SEC, playing sporadically as Auburn fought toward a 10-8 record in conference action. Read more Auburn basketball: Injured Houston guards “100 percent” playing against Auburn Johni Broome’s first-round performance unlike any other by an SEC player since Anthony Davis in 2012 “No injury could put me down”: Chris Moore confident despite reaggravation of shoulder injury Yet there was Traore, the 6-foot-10 Frenchman, with an opportunity in the NCAA Tournament. With starting power forward Jaylin Williams hampered by early foul trouble and Chris Moore reaggravating a shoulder injury, Pearl turned to Traore for some valuable minutes off the bench in ninth-seeded Auburn’s 83-75 win against eighth-seeded Iowa at Legacy Arena. “It was crazy,” Traore said Friday. “You know, when he called my name, I was so excited.” Traore played three rotations in the opening-round win, logging nine minutes off the bench for the Tigers on a night where the reserves proved crucial as the team advanced to the Round of 32, where they’ll face top-seeded Houston on Saturday night (6:10 p.m. CT on TBS). Traore didn’t score or attempt a shot, and his only stat was a foul he committed, but he was a plus-five in his time on the court and was able to get his feet wet in the NCAA Tournament. “It means that they trust me,” Traore said. “I feel like I stay ready, so eventually if somebody gets hurt, I’ll be ready. I wasn’t surprised when they called my name, and I feel like I just took the opportunity.” Those opportunities have been hard to come by for Traore during his first season of college ball. He was a regular in the rotation during nonconference play, when he logged double-digit minutes in 11 of the 12 games he appeared in and split time at the four and the five. When SEC play got underway, though, Traore’s rotations were more sporadic. He averaged just seven minutes per game in 11 appearances during SEC play and scored 12 total points across those games. It was a difficult adjustment for Traore, a five-star prospect who originally signed with LSU but got a release from his letter of intent after Will Wade was fired last year. He then visited Auburn and signed with Bruce Pearl’s team soon thereafter. “It was tough, mentally, but I just got to keep my head up,” Traore said. “I kept working. I feel like I did a great job staying ready. It was tough mentally, but I feel like I got over it now.” That meant, as Pearl is fond of saying, staying right and staying ready — even if it meant a more predominant role on the scout team instead of the Tigers’ regular rotation. But Traore made the most of those practice reps and extra time in the gym (Williams said Traore often “goes crazy” and “gets buckets” against the rotation players while running with the scout team in practice), and he has started to regain his confidence and his rhythm. “It’s amazing to me because Yo, like sometimes he be rotating at four and five,” Williams said. “Like, my freshman year, I couldn’t remember no plays. You could ask any of our senior class, like Yo’s always knowing — he has a feel for it. He already knows where he needs to be. He’s going to be playing physical, and he’s going to be himself all the time.” There’s still a learning curve for Traore, whose basketball experience is relatively limited. He only began playing the sport a few years ago, and while he has the physical tools that project a high ceiling, it’s going to be a process for him to actualize that potential. But will that happen at Auburn? Traore said he’s focused on the moment and contributing to the Tigers’ NCAA Tournament run, but his plan is to “most likely” return to the Plains next season instead of exploring the transfer portal. He expressed appreciation for Pearl’s continued belief in him and fellow freshman Chance Westry, adding that the two former top-40 recruits can “really do some big things” next season. “(Traore’s) future holds a lot,” Williams said. “Yo just started playing basketball not that many years ago, so when he gets a great feel for the game — he already has his shot, but when he gets his form right and all those things together, he’s going to be great.” Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.

sportsbookwire.usatoday.com Auburn vs Houston NCAA Tournament Second Round odds, tips and betting trends DataSkrive 4–5 minutes The No. 1 seed Houston Cougars (32-3) will compete with the No. 9 seed Auburn Tigers (21-12) on Saturday with a spot in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament up for grabs. Tune in to watch this game at 7:10 PM on TBS. The Cougars hit the court as 5.5-point favorites against the Tigers. The point total for the game is set at 131.5. Houston is 18-16-1 against the spread, while Auburn’s ATS record this season is 16-16-1. The Cougars have a 15-19-1 record going over the point total, while games involving the Tigers have a record of 20-13-0 when it comes to hitting the over. The teams average 147.7 points per game, 16.2 more points than this matchup’s total. Houston is 2-7-1 against the spread and 9-1 overall over its past 10 contests, while Auburn has gone 4-5-1 against the spread and 4-6 overall. Here is what you need to get ready for Saturday’s college hoops action. Auburn at Houston odds, spread and lines Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Spread: Houston -5.5 Total: 131.5 Moneyline: Houston -253, Auburn +204 Let’s Make This Interesting – Place your legal sports bets online in New Jersey and Colorado with Tipico Sportsbook, a trusted, global sports-betting leader. Iowa, get ready, Tipico is coming to your state soon! New customer offer: Deposit $10 or more, get $100 in instant bet credits! 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Bet now! Houston vs. Auburn prediction Houston 72, Auburn 64 Moneyline Houston is 27-3 in games when it was favored on the moneyline (winning 90%). The Cougars are 25-2 (winning 92.6% of their games) when playing as a moneyline favorite of -253 or shorter. Based on this contest’s moneyline, Houston has an implied win probability of 71.7%. Auburn has been listed as the underdog seven times this season and have failed to win any of those games. The Tigers have been at least a +204 moneyline underdog two times this season, but was upset in each of those games. The moneyline for this contest implies a 32.9% chance of a victory for Auburn. Against the spread Houston has put together an 18-16-1 ATS record so far this year. Auburn has won 16 games against the spread this year, while failing to cover or pushing 17 times. The Cougars average 74.7 points per game, 7.4 more points than the 67.3 the Tigers allow. Houston is 16-8-1 against the spread and 25-0 overall when scoring more than 67.3 points. Auburn is 13-10 against the spread and 20-3 overall when giving up fewer than 74.7 points. The Tigers average 16.6 more points per game (73.0) than the Cougars give up to opponents (56.4). Auburn is 14-14 against the spread and 19-9 overall when it scores more than 56.4 points. Houston has an ATS record of 17-12-1 and a 28-2 record overall when its opponents score fewer than 73.0 points. PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests and win prizes. Play now! Over/Under The Cougars have an average implied point total of 75.5 this season, which is 6.5 points higher than their implied total in Saturday’s game (69). This season, Houston has put up more than 69 points in 26 games. The 74.4-point average implied total on the season for the Tigers is 11.4 more points than the team’s 63-point implied total in this matchup. So far this season, Auburn has scored more than 63 points 29 times. Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, our official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and, soon, IA. Bet now! If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook. Follow the latest college sports coverage at College Sports Wire. Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA). for the record i am not promoting gambling but if it has info i will post it unless it is against site rules.

thank you for replying sometimes i get looked over but it could be cus my jokes backfire on here.

what time is or was the scrimmage? there is nothing new on youtube or in articles googled.

collegefootballnews.com Houston vs Auburn Prediction, Game Preview, NCAA Tournament Second Round Pete Fiutak ~3 minutes Houston vs Auburn Prediction, Game Preview Houston vs Auburn How To Watch Date: Saturday, March 18 Game Time: 7:10 pm Venue: Legacy Arena at BJCC, Birmingham, AL How To Watch: COMING Record: Houston (32-3), Auburn (21-12) - NCAA Tournament Schedule, Previews, Predictions Why Auburn Will Win Does Houston seem right to you? Yes it's 32-3. Yes everything was just fine right up unto the American Athletic Conference Championship loss to Memphis, it's hard to argue with a 14-1 run in the last 15 games. The Marcus Sasser injury is making a difference, but more than anything else, the team doesn't have the same explosion on both ends of the floor. When everything is humming, it's able to put teams away with big runs and a suffocating defense. The Houston that was ripping through everyone in February wouldn't have struggled on the boards - even though it was +9 - against Northern Kentucky and wouldn't have struggled so much to put the game away against a team like that. Auburn might have been flaky coming in to the NCAA Tournament - it lost nine of 13 games before dropping Iowa - but it's shooting well, held the high-powered Iowa offense to just 26% from three, and ... - 25 Worst Basketball/Football Schools Recommended for You Why Houston Will Win The Houston defense is still playing well. The offense sputtered in the loss to Memphis, and the D looked tired, but in the first round it held the Norse to just 28% from the field and ramped up the defensive stops late when it absolutely had to. And don't get too geeked out by Auburn's win over Iowa. Defense is polite rumor with the Hawkeyes, and they didn't do much of anything to stop Auburn from doing anything it wanted. The Houston defense isn't going to allow a thing from the outside, it'll be amazing on the free throw line, and ... Houston vs Auburn What's Going To Happen Again, the production is still there for Houston, but the Memphis game from last week might be a bit more like the team really is right now. Auburn will take advantage of that. The Tigers are brutally flawed. They're dangerous enough to get on the move and fly up and down the court like they did to start the second half against Iowa, but the defense is going to be the downfall ... Next weekend. Houston won't be able to put the Tigers away when it has the chance, and unlike the Northern Kentucky win, it's not going to be able to handle the energy on the other side. Houston vs Auburn Prediction, Line Auburn 69, Houston 68 Line: Houston -5.5, o/u: 131 ATS Confidence out of 5: 2 Must See Ranking: 4 - Houston vs Auburn Expert Picks - NCAA Tournament Schedule, Previews, Predictions i know two of these are similar but i was not sure which one is the most credible.

Houston vs. Auburn odds, prediction, betting trends for 2023 March Madness Round of 32 matchup Sloan Piva 5–7 minutes In what should be one of the better games of the second round, top-seeded Houston takes on ninth-seeded Auburn on Saturday evening (7:10 p.m. ET, TBS). The Cougars, ranked No. 1 on the KenPom and No. 2 on the final AP Poll, will look to make its fourth consecutive Sweet 16 but could be without star guard Marcus Sasser due to a groin injury. They also find themselves essentially playing a de facto road game, as the NCAA unfairly put Auburn in the region of the bracket that plays in Birmingham, a two-hour drive from the Tigers' home base. We have all the odds, trends, and betting predictions to get you ready for what should be a fantastic second-round bout. Houston beat 16-seed Northern Kentucky 63-52 in a game that ended up being a little too close for coach Kelvin Sampson's comfort. Sampson had to pull Sasser at halftime after his leading scorer appeared to aggravate his groin injury, prompting some nail biting for Cougar Nation with their squad up only 30-27 at intermission. Houston finally pulled away late in the second half, leading the frame 33-25 for a 63-52 victory, but this hardly looked like the team that dominated all season en route to a 32-3 record. Ninth-seeded Auburn had a close first-round shave, too, despite the fact that the atmosphere basically mirrored a home-game setting for the fortunate Tigers. Bruce Pearl's squad prevailed 83-75 over eighth-seed Iowa, with the Tigers weathering a 49-point second-half surge by the Hawkeyes with 52 points of their own. Auburn wins with full-team grit-and-grind on both sides of the floor and has the kind of depth that could give a Sasser-less Cougars team some trouble. Will we see another early-tournament stunner? Here's everything to know about betting on Houston vs. Auburn in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, including updated odds, trends, and our prediction for this Round of 32 matchup. TSN's MARCH MADNESS HQ Live NCAA bracket | TV schedule | Predictor tool Houston vs. Auburn odds Spread: Houston -5.5 (-110) | Auburn +5.5 (-110) Over/Under: OVER 131.5 (-110); UNDER 131.5 (-110) Moneyline: Houston -250 | Auburn +200 The oddsmakers are trusting the Cougars' track record both this season and across the past few NCAA Tournaments. Before even hearing an update on Sasser, the sportsbooks had Houston favored by six. The total strikes us as even more surprising since both these squads are pretty good defensively, but Houston averaged 74.7 points this season while Auburn averaged 73. Three betting trends to watch — Auburn went 3-1 against the spread versus ranked opponents this season. — Auburn and Houston each went just 9-8 ATS combined on the road and in neutral sites this season. — The OVER went 20-13 in Auburn's games this season, but just 16-19 in Houston's. Houston key players With Sasser on the shelf, this is Jarace Walker's squad. A projected lottery pick, Walker might be the best defensive player in the NCAA, but he can also drop 16-25 points with relative ease. Houston also has J'wan Roberts, a constant double-double threat, wreaking havoc at the small forward position, and guard Jamal Shead serving as a playmaker and shot-creator. The Cougars are very good without Sasser but obviously nowhere near as elite as when he's healthy. If what we're now hearing about Shead's knee is true, it could be a long evening in Birmingham for this No. 1 seed. Auburn key players Big man Johni Broome, an imposing presence on the interior, recorded his 10th double-double of the season in Thursday's win over Northern Kentucky. He also hit some clutch free throws to cement the victory, proving that the moment is not too big for the 20-year-old forward. Auburn also enjoyed complementary efforts from "the others" (as Shaq calls them). Guard Allen Flanigan had 10 points 10 boards, and four assists. Wendell Green Jr., Jaylin Wiliams, and K.D. Johnson also all scored in double-figures, as did freshman guard Tre Donaldson, who hit three triples. Best individual matchup: Jarace Walker vs. Johni Broome We'd love to get more creative here, but these two are the cream of the crop of this game if Sasser sits. They are similarly sized — Walker stands 6-8, 240 pounds with a 7-2 wingspan while Broome is listed at 6-10, 235 pounds. The big men should be physical down low early and often in this one. Houston vs. Auburn stat to know 56.4. That's how many points per game Houston surrendered this season. The Cougars were the only team in the nation that ranked top six in both offensive and defensive rating on the year. EXPERT PICKS: DeCourcy (Alabama) | Bender (Kansas) | Fagan (Marquette) | Pohnl (Kansas) Houston vs. Auburn prediction Auburn has a very strong opportunity to mount the upset of the second round. The Tigers have a strong, athletic rotation and they're basically playing in their backyard. Houston, which just struggled at times with a 16 seed from a low-major, could be without Sasser and apparently Sampson is "very concerned" about Shead's knee. We might roll out a two-way teaser with Auburn's spread and the OVER, but we're more than likely just going to bet the Tigers' spread on its own and hope for some more history. Prediction: Auburn 72, Houston 69. Auburn (+5.5) wins straight up and the OVER hits with ease (131.5). See what BetQL is projecting for Houston-Auburn, along with sharp picks, value bets, and more for every March Madness game!

247sports.com It will take more than 'special' to upset Houston, Pearl says Mark Murphy 4–5 minutes BIRMINGHAM, Alabama–When Bruce Pearl is preparing his basketball team to play a very talented opponent with his Tigers in an underdog situation, the Auburn coach likes to say it is going to take "special” to pull off an upset victory. On Friday, following his team’s practice at Legacy Arena preparing for No. 1 seed Houston, the coach said it is going to take more than special to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. “It is an opportunity to play maybe the best team in the country,” Auburn’s coach said. “Certainly a No. 1 seed. We are going to need to be on our game on both ends of the floor, but it is an opportunity for us to make history. It is going to take something real special.” Tipoff is set for 6:10 p.m. CDT with television coverage on TBS. The winner advances to next week’s Midwest Regional Sweet 16 round in Kansas City. Auburn defeated Iowa 83-75 on Thursday night. Immediately following that contest Houston pulled away late for a 63-52 victory over No. 16 seed Northern Kentucky. Even though the 32-3 Cougars are favored to handle the 21-12 Tigers, Pearl noted his team has played well in three of its previous four games. “At Alabama, home against Tennessee and then (Thursday) night against Iowa, we played three really good basketball games,” he pointed out. “The game at Arkansas in the SEC Tournament, they played really well. We didn't play great.” The Tigers rallied late, but came up three points short in the Arkansas game. “Can we continue to play that well? I just think the biggest thing is Houston's physicality, their ability to go get the ball, their length and their athleticism. That will remind my Auburn team of the most athletic, physical, tough teams in the SEC that we have had our hands full with.” When the Tigers have played their best basketball this season it has often been the result of strong play off the bench, something that happened in the Iowa game. “We are going to find out tomorrow night, but I have always believed in not shortening your bench come tournament time,” Pearl said. “I know that's not certainly how the way it is in the NBA because I want my guys fresh and furious at the end to be able to win the game. “I think it was very encouraging to see Tre Donaldson play without any fear. He is going to have a hard time keeping–we are all going to have a hard time keeping Houston's guards in front of us. Bruce Pearl watches his Tigers in action during Auburn's victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes. (Photo: Jason Caldwell, 247Sports) “We are all going to have a hard time dealing with Houston's pressure. They get up into you, and they make everything you do very,very difficult, but it was great to see Tre respond. “Obviously, K.D. Johnson's energy and scoring ability off the bench, what a punch that is for us,” Pearl pointed out. “Lior Berman will guard physically, and he is going to make a shot. Even though yesterday was a birthday, and he didn't make a shot (three-pointer), he is going to make a shot. You have to guard him out there. “Then Chris Moore probably isn't going to get talked about enough at all hardly. We had Jaylin Williams with two fouls early, and then Chris Moore kind of dings up his shoulder again, and he is out for the rest of the game. Now all of a sudden I'm playing Yohan Traore, who hasn't played much–really not sure at the position. Hadn't gotten a lot of reps at it. “Allen Flanigan moves to the four,” Pearl noted. “Hadn't played a minute there all year long and we managed to sort of piece it together because of our depth, because of the play off the bench. Dylan Cardwell had a good series out there as well.” *** Subscribe: Receive the latest Auburn intel and scoops***

what time is the scrimmage? i might hang out early this evening for updayes.

247sports.com Auburn 'family' brings James back as key for Auburn defense Jason Caldwell 3–4 minutes AUBURN, Alabama—Coming back closer to his home of Spanish Fort to play his junior season after playing three years for the Oregon Ducks, cornerback D.J. James had a big season for the Tigers in 2022, earning second-team All-SEC honors from the coaches and the Associated Press for his play. At 6-1, 170 and with lockdown ability at cornerback, James was invited to play in the Senior Bowl in his hometown of Mobile after last season, but instead he decided to come back and play his final year on the Plains. Even with a coaching change and turnover within the program, James said for him the decision to come back came down to just the feelings he has built in a short time for Auburn. “Auburn is a family,” he said. “This school is a family. They have treated me like family since I got recruited here. I trust Auburn. I feel like my best interest and the best situation for me was to come back to school for another year.” Returning at cornerback along with veteran Nehemiah Prichett and second-year junior college transfer Keionte Scott, James is part of perhaps the most experienced and talented position on the Auburn roster in the first year under Hugh Freeze. Even with a new position coach in Wesley McGriff, having guys around him that he knows and trusts has made the transition an easy one, he said. “It’s way more comfortable every day just knowing my teammates and knowing who I’m surrounded by and having that bond with them,” James said. “I can communicate with them after being with them for such a long time. Going through the season was great. We’re just all comfortable with each other right now.” Ranked as one of the top coverage guys in the country by Pro Football Focus last season, James has no issues with the physical side of the game. Now he’s working on being a better all-around player. One of the ways he wants to accomplish that is by putting in more work off the field to help him and his teammates be ready when their number is called during the game. That means work in the film room to get ready, something that McGriff said he’s demanding of his guys to make sure they understand what it takes to be successful. “The players have to problem-solve,” McGriff said. “Because we can get on the grass, and we can show them in the classroom what it will look like, but of course, there are gonna be some different wrinkles that we can't show them. They're gonna have to problem-solve during the game. “That just leads to communication, being on the same page and having confidence. We want to make sure we're gauging their confidence every day. Because if they're very confident as a unit and as individuals, then we'll play at a high level.” 2COMMENTS That’s exactly what James said has been a priority for him to make him a better player and teammate. “My goal is just to continue learning football,” he said. “You can never be too smart for the game of football. Just really learning and taking in everything all of the coaches have to tell me. They tell me certain stuff I need to do better and I just take that into account and try to get better each and every day.” ">247Sports